Are your closets a mess? Do you have things that you don't want or need anymore?
Don't throw your unwanted things away....
Let our Girl Scouts get it in the hands of the needy!!!!!
We are collecting:
Wearable & Usable Clothing
Shoes, Belts
Purses, Hats
Book Bags, Backpacks
Stuffed Animals
Any household items made of material; Linens, Curtains, Blankets, Towels, Etc.
Convenient Drop off at Trinity United Methodist Church (284 Cedar Rd, Mullica Hill, Lower Level by the glass doors) On Sunday April 26, 2 - 4 pm
Junior Girl Scout Troop #63525 will be collecting your gently used items to be donated to the needy. This task is being done in order to earn their "Bronze Award" ~ the highest award available to Junior Girl Scouts, and your contributions will help them to achieve this. Please consider being a part of this rewarding experience!
18 Hancock Lane, Madison Woods, (Pine Hill Boro) Berlin, NJ 08009
You get so much for so little in this home that you won't believe your eyes. Enjoy the beauty and luxury of your new home with so many upgrades and updates to keep you comfortable. Your fully equipped kitchen with gorgeous Corian countertops and newer appliances is great for easy clean up! A huge breakfast room adjoined with the kitchen is the perfect place to watch all the beauty of nature out your glass doors that lead to your private back yard. Entertain your guests in your formal dining room with grand cuisine that you prepared in your huge kitchen. Watch the game in your finished basement with gorgeous wood bar right there! Relax in your living room with your family or unwind after a long day on your front porch. Want privacy~ kick back and take it easy in your tranquil (fenced) back yard. Get away from it all in your extravagant master suite under vaulted ceilings and a gorgeous ceiling fan. Newer plush carpeting, hardwood floors and ceramic tile are all added bonuses to your generous home. Help your morning routine go smoothly with the 2 1/2 baths. All this and a home office too. Don't sit back and wait... this home has soo much to offer that you'll lose out if you do.
Amazingly priced for only $219,900
Living Room 20' x 14' Dining Room 12' x 11' Kitchen 12' x 13' Breakfast Room 11' x 9' Family Room 16' x 19'
Master Bedroom 16' x 13' Bedroom 2 12' x 10' Bedroom 3 10' x 10' Home Office 14' x 6'
A home buyer was recently looking at a house that they were very interested in. When they went through the homeowners were gracious and although they were home, helped the interested party feel comfortable.
Then the mistake... the sellers, in their frustration with the market conditions in their area, blurt out that they have not had any showings, none, zilch, in the over 6 months that they had their house on the market.
Now, not only is this incredibly a bad idea, but also makes a great point. Seller's should stay away during showings. They should let the agents do the talking. Do you think this buyer will jump at making an offer, or if they do decide this is where they want to buy, do you think they will offer anywhere near the asking price of the home? No way! This seller needs to be quiet! If you can't keep quiet and out of the way of the buyer, then leave!
Telling a potential buyer all your woes and frustrations will not make them act. As a matter of fact, they will start to wonder why no one else is looking at the house! Is something wrong with it? Is it priced to high? In a bad area?.... What?
No one wants - what no one else wants! Get that? Maybe I sould say it a different way, people want what they cannot have. So if you are looking to sell anything, it needs to be in high demand! I am not telling you to lie, just don't look so desperate that you are begging. People need to get emotionally attached to buy a home, if you put a little doubt in their head, then you are, in effect, telling them not to buy!
Selling your home during this current recession is sometimes more frustrating then many would like to admit. When your home is marketed for sale, the thing that most people will see first (and first impressions are of utmost importance... they either keep their attention or move on very quickly), are the photos and the home description. The photos should be professionally taken and show off as much of your property as possible, both inside and out.
The main topic I am going to discuss here is the house description. There are certain things that people are looking for in a house, not to get into too much psychology, but there are key things that should be stressed, within the body of the description or in the beginning.
People buy security, not warranties; they buy luxury, not tubs; they like privacy or seclusion, but want the convenience to where ever they need to get to regularly; they like to cozy up to a fireplace not the fact that there is one. They want to be a family even if they are in separate rooms, or know what their kids are doing in the family room while they are cooking dinner, not just have an open floor plan. Many people don't know real estate lingo like "Open Concept Floor Plan." Make sure that you describe the benefits that your buyer will enjoy with each of the features of your home.
If you are selling a luxury home... they want their visitors to envy them- maybe not openly, but they want to impress them. It is a fact that people want warmth, comfort, relaxation, enjoyment, privacy, etc., etc., etc. in their home. If you work these words into your description they will help a person feel the home.
Don't just list features. That is cold and doesn't stimulate any emotions. Actually describe the things that you felt when you bought your home. You made plans about how your experiences would be (regardless of how they turned out) while you walked through it the first time. This is the "picture you want to paint" with your words.
I would also highly recommend a full color brochure with the description and exterior photo on the front and features and room measurements listed on the back with interior photos. One sheet is best, and a brochure box outside will allow people to get the information they want while sparking interest. I would list the features that you have on the back, because they are important to know, (they just don't spark any emotions). Do not put the price on the brochure. This gives them reason to call.
Here are some examples that might help you as well:
As-Is but beautiful! Custom doors lead you into your ceramic tiled foyer. go through glass French doors into your raised formal living room to entertain your guests surrounded by incredible lighting and hardwood flooring. The lighted raised ceiling, recessed lighting and window lighting all set the right mood for any gathering. Step down into your dramatic formal dining room with the step constructed from glass back lighted blocks.Your Sunken Family room is the perfect place to kick back and relax in front of your dramatic fireplace. Your fully equipped kitchen with Corian countertops and tile backsplash is great for easy clean up! Keep your custom landscaping looking beautiful all year with your sprinkler system. Enjoy privacy in your fenced yard and store away all your tools in your newer custom shed. Short sale subject to bank approval
Luxury,Seclusion,Convenience,Privacy...have it all!Be the envy of your friends!Enjoy living on the most scenic lot in Surrey Lake.Watch deer roam acres of preserved land behind your home.Walk-out your sun-filled basement into your oversized fenced yard.Stroll out your gate along a path to the lake for some peace&quiet,you can even take your fishing pole. Enjoy your morning coffee at the kitchen island as the sun warms your home w/Southern Exposure shining in the palladium windows or step out to your deck & enjoy your own park-like setting.
Live in luxury w/soaring vaulted & 9 ceilings. Move in & Relax, EVERYTHING has just been completed-from the new carpets to the prof. painted walls. Invite your guests into your 2 story foyer & entertain in your Living & Dining rooms w/custom moldings & Natural Maple Hardwood Floors.Cozy up in this family room by a marble gas fireplace with a 22' ceiling loaded with warm lighting & a convenient add'l staircase. Relax in your Jacuzzi in the huge master ste. Feel secure as your children play in this enormous walk-out bsmt.
Enjoy privacy & seclusion w/out isolation in your beautiful custom built estate home sitting back 350' on 6.6 acres at the end of the culdesac, in prestigious Horseshoe Run Estates. Move in & relax-EVERYTHING is like new- professionally decorated w/neutral colors & luxurious trim & crown molding throughout. These hardwood floors lead you through most of the 1st floor & up the T shaped staircase, adorned w/ stunning runners. Get away from it all in your opulent master suite-soaking in your whirlpool tub, or relaxing in your sitting area. Cozy up by the fireplace in your spacious 2 story family room where custom draperies wrap these floor to ceiling windows. You'll realize you just may need to do some shopping to fill these gigantic closets. Enjoy your morning coffee at your island in your enormous fully equipped kitchen or step out onto your deck that wraps the entire back of your home while you watch the wild deer & turkey roam. Your children will have lots of room to play & tons of fun in the tree house. Don't miss the view from the sun room & office. This community allows gentleman's farms
Spectacular landscaping surrounds this home nestled on almost 10 acres. You can bring your farm, & potentially build on the extra land, w/ proper approvals. Enjoy your morning coffee on your back deck, overlooking all the best nature has to offer. Relax in this giant great room in front of a fire in this Rumfort fireplace. Cozy-up in your sunroom w/ true southern exposure in front of this wall of windows. Prepare grand cuisine w/ ease in this spacious kitchen w/ all the extras. Store everything away in the numerous cabinets & huge closets. Get away from it all in your master bath soaking tub. Your loft is the perfect place to kick back & look out at the stars. All the best was put into this home & no expense was spared. This 20'x24'-2 sty garage has a finished 2nd flr. More upgrades than you could ever imagine. A list of the extras can be faxed, Surveys are on file.
The plan for the stimulus bill has changed and the government has decided to remove the proposed $15,000 tax credit for home buyers. I agree that this was an idea that sparked some interest in buying a home for some, but would this have been the thing that would have knocked people off the fence and encouraged them to buy now? I don't really understand how the government could tease us in this way, and ignor an area where there is such a need for help.
Is this change in the plan going to destroy the "Hope" that everyone had in this troubled economy? Are we going to find our way out of this recession with the other parts of this plan? Or are we in for a long road ahead before we see our economy turn around? Is it so important to encourage people to buy homes by offering a tax credit? Or are we at the bottom of the market, about to see appreciation once again?
Throwing money at the problem did not work back in the 1930's during the Roosevelt administration. It took 10 years and WWII for our economy to improve then, so how is this different? There are tons of people out there with tons of ideas (and fears) about what is going to happen... what are your thoughts?
It is a fact that people are still buying houses, they are getting the most fantastic deals, and it is a great time to own real estate. Historically, Real Estate has been the leading wealth generator. So, why all this doom and gloom out there? I think to change things.... the biggest thing many need to change is their attitude and their outlook. I believe we get what we look for, so if we look for failure, we will get it. I am looking for the recovery and I focus on all the positive things in my life. There are plenty of people out there that want to and need to find a house to live in... right now, and the agent that they want to work with is not one that is ready to throw in the towel... that's for sure!
So, did they yank the rug out from under our feet? I don't believe that they did. I believe our success in this industry is based on our attitude. If we believe that we will do well, we will, and we will do whatever it takes to do so. So keep your attitude positive, and keep your client's interests at heart and you will be sucessful!
The information on the tax credit for new homebuyers that is currently being considered as part of the stimulus plan is great news for anyone interested in investing in a house.
This is subject to change until this officially goes into law, but as of right now, any homebuyer will receive a $15,000 tax credit when they file their 2009 taxes early next year. They will receive that extra money, and as of right now, the government is not requiring you to pay any of it back. The current $7,500 tax credit that this new one is replacing was required to be paid back, however this one will not!
To break down the numbers for you, someone can buy a $230,000 home and put down 3.5% through FHA, which totals $8,050. We can estimate that the closing costs and escrow items will be approximately $5,000. A person can buy a home this year for $230,000 and spend a total of $13,050. They will be credited by the government $15,000 that does not need to be paid back (as of right now). So they can buy a house, have it cost them nothing, and get an extra $2,000 back on top of having their entire expenses paid for.
So take advantage of this law if it is enacted and you will benefit all the way around.
Update 2/12/09 OK-- So never mind... the government decided that we don't need this part of the stimulous package and wiped it out. I have to say, that because Real Estate has been hit so hard with the state of the economy, I seriously have my doubts that they know what is best for our economy. Real Estate sales fuel our economy in many more ways then the obvious. Let's hope things improve soon............
Below are the figures per the Gloucester County Multiple Listings Service for the total number of homes sold, the average sales price and the average days on the market for those homes that sold. If you are considering selling or have attempted, unsucessfully, to sell your Gloucester County, New Jersey home, this information (as well as much more that I can easily provide you) should be carefully considered PRIOR to setting a sales price.
Date # of Homes Average Average
Sold Sales Price DOM*
2008
December 179 $236,909 104
November 158 $239,955 91
October 175 $233,785 113
September 218 $236,866 85
August 233 $241,816 84
July 233 $242,155 98
June 252 $234,918 76
May 223 $238,246 85
April 251 $236,887 98
March 215 $228,009 91
February 154 $239,518 111
January 151 $222,597 87
2007
December 149 $233,074 79
November 254 $241,852 74
October 240 $246,871 81
September 240 $238,002 69
August 355 $260,029 71
July 297 $248,821 75
June 382 $252,893 70
May 287 $251,475 79
April 273 $249,715 72
March 270 $239,257 84
February 243 $236,908 76
January 213 $240,243 81
*DOM = Days on the Market
(Information above includes sales that were concluded through the Multiple Listing Service in Gloucester County. It does not necessarily include new construction or private sales. Information is not guaranteed and is subject to errors and ommissions.)
If you bought a house and your first mortgage was for more then 80% of the value of your home (you put less then 20% down), you pay a monthly private mortgage insurance (PMI). If your mortgage was put into place on or after January 1, 2007, then that PMI expense is now deductible!!
On Line 13 on Schedule A of your federal tax return (the same form that you use to deduct mortgage interest and property taxes) you can simply enter the amount you paid for PMI. Your lender should include the amount of your PMI premium in Box 4 of your Form 1098.
This deduction is scheduled to disappear after 2010, so don't forget to take advantage of this deduction while it lasts!
Tax deductions are considered write-offs. These are the government's way of rewarding taxpayers for investing in Real Estate. There are plenty of write-offs allowed by the IRS, many of which people often forget. I must advise you to consult a tax professional about the details, limitations, and restrictions on these deductions, but there are plenty that you can take advantage of.
Points and Loan Origination fees: According to the IRS, origination fees charged as points must be paid for the use of money, (for example, to obtain a lower interest rate) in order to be tax deductible. Origination fees that constitute a "service fee" are not tax deductible. The question must be asked, "Does the fee apply to the use of money, or is it a service charge?" If the charge is deductible, you must have paid these, not amortized them (included them in your loan) over the life of the loan. If they are included in your loan, you may deduct them over the life of the loan (as you pay them).
Pre-payment penalties: Unforeseen circumstances often cause borrowers to pull out of their mortgages sooner than expected. Fortunately, pre-payment penalties are tax deductible, so make sure you mention any pre-payment penalties that you paid to your tax preparer.
Pro-rated real estate taxes: Even if the seller, mortgage company or the title company sent the tax collector the check, chances are the buyer paid a pro-rated portion of the taxes for the year at closing. Make sure you look on your closing sheet (HUD-1) for the amount that you paid in Real Estate Taxes.
Pro-rated mortgage interest: Depending on what date in the month the home sale closes, buyers pay some amount of pro-rated mortgage interest for that month. Mortgage interest is paid in arrears when you pay your mortgage, so your monthly payment will include last months interest. When you close in the beginning of the month, you will pay a larger portion of interest then if you close at the end of the month. At the closing you will be required to pay the interest for all the days till the end of the month that you are closing in. This interest is a deduction on your tax return.
Home construction loan interest: As long as the time period for construction doesn't last more than two years before the new homeis your "principal residence," they you can write off the interest for that construction loan.
Make sure you track your expenses and consider them for deduction if allowable. Please contact your tax advisor if you need more help.
Disclaimer: ActiveRain Corp. does not necessarily endorse the real estate agents, loan officers and brokers listed on this site. These real estate profiles, blogs and blog entries are provided here as a courtesy to our visitors to help them make an informed decision when buying or selling a house. ActiveRain Corp. takes no responsibility for the content in these profiles, that are written by the members of this community.
Do you have things that you don't want or need anymore?
Just Listed for sale in Pine Hill, NJ:
back yard. Get away from it all in your extravagant master suite under vaulted ceilings and a gorgeous ceiling fan. Newer plush carpeting, hardwood floors and ceramic tile are all added bonuses to your generous home. Help your morning routine go smoothly with the 2 1/2 baths. All this and a home office too. Don't sit back and wait... this home has soo much to offer that you'll lose out if you do. 
point. Seller's should stay away during showings. They should let the agents do the talking. Do you think this buyer will jump at making an offer, or if they do decide this is where they want to buy, do you think they will offer anywhere near the asking price of the home? No way! This seller needs to be quiet! If you can't keep quiet and out of the way of the buyer, then leave!
The plan for the stimulus bill has changed and the government has decided to remove the proposed $15,000 tax credit for home buyers. I agree that this was an idea that sparked some interest in buying a home for some, but would this have been the thing that would have knocked people off the fence and encouraged them to buy now? I don't really understand how the government could tease us in this way, and ignor an area where there is such a need for help.
took 10 years and WWII for our economy to improve then, so how is this different? There are tons of people out there with tons of ideas (and fears) about what is going to happen... what are your thoughts?
;)
;)
