Think Flanagan First!

The History of Thanksgiving, as told by Jim Flanagan

Coldwell Banker Flanagan Realty — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 17:13:21 -0600

I was inspired to create the video below by an e-mail I received this morning. Here, in their entirety, are both the e-mail and the video. Enjoy and Happy Thanksgiving!

Good Morning! It is now Thanksgiving week, and every year I struggle to find the right words to express my gratitude and appreciation for your support and hard work. I think most of you would agree, as 2009 has evolved, it has turned out to be one tough year! I wonder how it would compare to the challenges faced by our forefathers as they began to shape our country. It has been nearly four centuries since the Pilgrims survived their first winter at Plymouth. As it is told, that first winter was brutal-nothing like anything they had ever experienced before. But they prevailed with the resiliency that Americans have demonstrated time and time again In so many wonderful ways, we come together at this time to cherish what unites us. As we sit down to our Thanksgiving Day meal, we must remember that not everyone will be with their family and loved ones this Thanksgiving. We have the men and women of our armed services, who have given up their holidays and time with their families to make sure we can safely be with ours. My sincere thanks to each of you, and your families for their support of your efforts. Coldwell Banker thrives because we have the best people, with a common set of values, working to make a difference in people's lives. As you gather with your family and friends, I hope you will find many blessings for which to be thankful.

Warm wishes for a Blessed and Happy Thanksgiving! P.Dawn Covahey Executive Business Consultant| Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC

CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE VIDEO!

Tis the Season to get a Tax Credit!

Coldwell Banker Flanagan Realty — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 10:07:52 -0600

On November 6th, 2009, President Obama signed, into law, legislation extending and expanding the Homebuyer Tax Credit.

What does this mean for "First Time Home Buyers"?

What does this mean for "Move Up" Buyers?

Let's see, shall we:

CLICK HERE to watch our latest video on the HOMEBUYER TAX CREDIT!

Combined with "historically" low mortgage rates, an abundance of inventory and lower home prices (in general), the NAR may actually be telling the truth; "there NEVER has been a better time to buy." Or, in the very least; there may NEVER be an OPPORTUNITY to buy a home like this again!

Roctober Real Estate Market Report for Toms River, NJ!

Coldwell Banker Flanagan Realty — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 11:30:52 -0600

Monthly Real Estate Market Report for Toms River, NJ - October 2009

October by the numbers:

•· 70 The number of Single Family Homes CLOSED during the month

•· $382,092 Average LIST price for October*

•· $356,125 Average SALES price for the month*

•· 120 Average DAYS ON the MARKET for October

•· 93.20% The SALES price to LIST price RATIO for the month

•· 737 Number of Single Family Homes ACTIVE on the market in October

•· 10.52 Number of MONTHS it would take to SELL OFF the existing supply of homes on the market, in Toms River, at this rate, if NONE were to come on the market!

October 2009, saw 70 Single Family Homes CLOSE in Toms River, as compared with 58 in October of 2008. THIS MARKS THE FOURTH MONTH IN A ROW; WHERE SALES HAVE SURPASSED THE SAME MONTH OF THE PREVIOUS YEAR! Of those 70 homes, 28 were in the price range of $200,000 to $299,999 (40%). Combined with the CLOSINGS from the First 3 Quarters of 2009, this represents an INCREASE in SALES of 41%, in this particular price range, over the same time last year!

*These averages include Single Family Homes from the beach communities of Ortley, Normandy and Ocean, etc.

3 Months in a Row for Toms River, NJ!

Coldwell Banker Flanagan Realty — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 14:27:42 -0500

September 2009 MARKED the 3rd consecutive month that sales of single family homes, in Toms River, NJ, exceeded the same month of the previous year! Given the fact that this past September also MARKED the one year anniversary of the collapse of FREDDIE MAC and FANNIE MAE, we must acknowledge the influence of the $8,000 Tax Credit for "First Time Home Buyers", despite what some political pundits may believe!

September by the numbers:

· 61 The number of Single Family Homes CLOSED during the month

· $364,011 Average LIST price for September*

· $342,037 Average SALES price for the month*

· 96 Average DAYS ON the MARKET for September

· 93.96% The SALES price to LIST price RATIO for the month

· 754 Number of Single Family Homes ACTIVE on the market in September

· 12.36 Number of MONTHS it would take to SELL OFF the existing supply of homes on the market, in Toms River, at this rate, if NONE were to come on the market!

September 2009, saw 61 Single Family Homes CLOSE in Toms River, as compared with 59 in September of 2008 (a slight increase but an increase none-the-less)! THIS MARKS THE THIRD MONTH IN A ROW; WHERE SALES HAVE SURPASSED THE SAME MONTH OF THE PREVIOUS YEAR! Of those 61 homes, 24 were in the price range of $200,000 to $299,999 (39%). Combined with the CLOSINGS from the First 3 Quarters of 2009, this represents an INCREASE in SALES of 38%, in this particular price range, over the same time last year!

*These averages include Single Family Homes from the beach communities of Ortley, Normandy and Ocean, etc.

The Economic Impact of an Existing Home Purchase

Coldwell Banker Flanagan Realty — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 15:44:02 -0500

Courtesy of Rick Deluca, the following information illustrates the impact a single existing home sale has on the economy. Further evidence that until the housing market recovers, the economy cannot recover!

Perhaps you've heard about how a home sale impacts the local economy in many ways. Well, here is a study completed you may find useful.

The Economic Impact of an Existing Home Purchase:

The National Association of Realtors® estimates that each home sale at the median generates $63,101 of economic impact (2008). Impact of Single Existing Home Purchase
Median Price	$198,100
Real Estate Industries	Furniture	Multiplier	New Housing	Total
$ 17,829 +	$ 5,331 +	$ 11,117 +	$ 28,825 =	$ 63,101

Real Estate Industries: We assume that commissions, fees, and moving expenses, or income to real estate industries, associated directly with the purchase are about 9 percent of the median home price1.

Furniture: Furniture and remodeling expenses are a little more than $5,000 based on a Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies figure.2

Multiplier Effect: The multiplier effect accounts for the fact that income earned in other sectors of the economy as a result of a home sale is then re-circulated into the economy. The National Association of Realtors®'s macroeconomic modeling suggests that the multiplier is between 1.34 and 1.62 in the first

year or two after an autonomous increase in spending. This means that each dollar increase in direct housing activity will increase the overall GDP by $1.34 to $1.62.

New Housing:

Because existing home sales have historically been associated with new construction at a ratio of eight to one, we add in one-eighth of the new home price3 to approximate the value of this construction being added to GDP. The existing home price is not directly added to the economy because the home was produced or constructed in the past. Only the value-added service related to the sale of an existing home is included. When a new home is constructed, the entire price is added to the value of GDP because it is new production.

1 An annual price is used to avoid seasonal fluctuation in home prices. 2008 Median Home Price is $198,100.

2 Improving America's Housing 2003. Measuring the Benefits of Home Remodeling. Harvard Joint Center for

Housing Studies Report: R03-1

3 2008 Median New Home Price is $230,600 per the Census Bureau.

J.D. POWER AND ASSOCIATES RANKS COLDWELL BANKER HIGHEST IN HOME SELLER SATISFACTION

Coldwell Banker Flanagan Realty — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 16:49:46 -0500

NEWS RELEASE

Media Inquiries: David Siroty Meredith Topalanchik

Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC CooperKatz & Company

973-496-7199 917-595-3036

David.Siroty@coldwellbanker.com mtopalanchik@cooperkatz.com

J.D. POWER AND ASSOCIATES RANKS COLDWELL BANKER HIGHEST IN HOME SELLER SATISFACTION

PARSIPPANY, N.J. - Sept. 17, 2009 - Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC ranked highest among real estate companies in satisfying home sellers according to the recently released J.D. Power and Associates 2009 Home Buyer/Seller StudySM.

"This recognition is a testament to the brand's legacy as an industry leader, our commitment to innovation and, above all, our powerful network," said Jim Gillespie, president and CEO of Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. "With unsurpassed local knowledge, expertise and work ethic, we at Coldwell Banker have always felt that our network of professionals is the greatest in the industry, and we're pleased J.D. Power and Associates recognized it."

The independently administered study measured customer satisfaction of homebuyers and sellers among the largest national real estate firms. The study incorporates more than 3,100 evaluations from 2,801 respondents who bought or sold a home between April 2008 and June 2009. The survey was fielded between April and June 2009.

J.D. Power and Associates examined four factors in the home-selling experience including: agent; marketing; office; and package of additional services. Among home sellers, Coldwell Banker Real Estate ranked highest with a score of 815 and performed particularly well in all four factors.

Coldwell Banker Real Estate also ranked particularly high in the home-buyer segment. The brand ranked second with a score of 801 on a 1,000-point scale, performing particularly well in the office factor.

Complete results for the study can be found here.

About Coldwell Banker®
Since 1906, the Coldwell Banker® organization has been a premier full-service real estate provider. In 2008, Franchise Times magazine's prestigious Top 200 issue ranked the Coldwell Banker system No. 1 in real estate for the ninth straight year and 12th among franchisors in all industries. The Coldwell Banker System has approximately 3,500 residential real estate offices and approximately 100,000 sales associates in 47 countries and territories. The Coldwell Banker System is a leader in the industry in residential and commercial real estate, and in niche markets such as resort, new home and luxury property through its Coldwell Banker Previews International® division. It is a pioneer in consumer services with its Coldwell Banker Concierge® Service Program and award-winning Web site, www.coldwellbanker.com. Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC is a subsidiary of Realogy Corporation, a global provider of real estate and relocation services. Coldwell Banker® is a registered trademark licensed to Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. Each office is independently owned and operated.

About J.D. Power and Associates
Headquartered in Westlake Village, Calif., J.D. Power and Associates is a global marketing information services company operating in key business sectors including market research, forecasting, performance improvement, Web intelligence and customer satisfaction. The company's quality and satisfaction measurements are based on responses from millions of consumers annually. For more information on home building and home improvement, car reviews and ratings, car insurance, health insurance, cell phone ratings, and more, please visit JDPower.com. J.D. Power and Associates is a business unit of The McGraw-Hill Companies.
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You Are NOT Going to DIE in this HOUSE

Coldwell Banker Flanagan Realty — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 21:21:27 -0500

With less than 3 weeks for "First Time Home-Buyers" to MAKE SURE they are able to take advantage of the $8,000 tax credit, it behooves me to share this video:

You Are NOT Going to DIE in this HOUSE!

In order to ensure they CLOSE on their new home before the deadline of December 1, 2009, "First Time Home-Buyers" must allow 45 to 60 days for the morgage process; which only allows for 3 to 5 weeks to find and secure a contract on their home!

So...why are so many buyers still sitting on the fence?

Many believe the government will extend the deadline based on rumor, inuendo and misinformation.
Many believe they can get a better deal by waiting until the last minute.
And many are SCARED to DEATH!

Truth is:

As it stands today, "First Time Home-Buyers" MUST CLOSE on their home BEFORE December 1, 2009!

By waiting, they risk not only losing out on the tax credit but losing out on the home of their dreams as well!

FEAR translates as False Expectations Appearing Real! To my knowledge, "Buying a Home" is NOT the leading cause of death for any demographic...

Act Now or Forver Hold Your Picket

Coldwell Banker Flanagan Realty — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 17:05:10 -0500

Media Inquiries: Call Jim Flanagan at 732-270-6100

Act Now! - Federal Tax credit for FIRST-TIME homebuyers

COLDWELL BANKER FLANAGAN REALTY Urges Potential First-Time Buyers to Allow Enough Time for Closing to Secure Tax Credit of up to $8,000

Toms River, NJ, September 8^th, 2009 - The $8,000 federal tax credit for first-time homebuyers is scheduled to expire on December 1, 2009. However, in order to qualify, the transaction must be closed on or before November 30th, essentially leaving first-time buyers with less than three months to complete the process. This assumes approximately 45 days to search for a home and another 45 days to obtain mortgage financing and complete all the necessary steps to closing, including appraisals, inspections and title work. While the urgency of trying to find and close on a home before the deadline may seem stressful, it doesn't have to be.

"The tax credit is encouraging first-time homebuyers, but we're concerned that people could miss out on this unique money-saving opportunity if they don't anticipate the time necessary for closing," said Jim Flanagan, Broker of Record . "While every home purchase is a unique experience, we are encouraging first-time homebuyers to be under contract by early to mid-October in order to safely meet the closing deadline and qualify for this tax credit."

For those first-time buyers who are in the early phase of entering into the home buying process, Coldwell Banker Flanagan Realty offers consumers the following six steps for speeding up the process:

Find A Qualified Real Estate Agent. A team of experienced professionals are key to making the home buying process simple and seamless. Start by interviewing and selecting a sales associate who understands what you're looking for. A real estate agent will arrange showings, and keep track of the properties visited. He / she should also be able to help indentify suitable lawyers, mortgage lenders, home inspectors and others who play a role in the process. Remember, an agent is an expert who will negotiate the best price and incentives on a home, and will oversee the sales process on a homebuyer's behalf. It is critical that you get a timeline from your real estate agent so that you leave enough time for the sometimes lengthy closing process to occur.

2. Know Before You Go. The first step in the home buying process should always be to have an idea of the type of property one wants to buy. By separating the "must haves" from the "wants," homebuyers can focus on what's really important. Free online tools such as Coldwell Banker On Location (http://www.youtube.com/coldwellbanker ) and the recently launched mobile application for iPhone and Android devices are available to help consumers quickly and conveniently learn about neighborhoods, view what's on the market and compare home prices in over most U.S. markets and 28 countries worldwide. Homebuyers who arm themselves with as much knowledge as possible before hitting the ground with an agent are bound to save time in the long-run.

3. Get Your Credit Report In Order. A sound financial track record and solid credit score can help lock in a home loan and lower interest rates. Lenders today are looking at prospective borrower's credit reports more closely than ever so it's important to examine one's credit report for mistakes and eradicate any "toxic" debt such as overdue credit-card payments before the home shopping begins. Rectifying mistakes is easy to do but it can be a time consuming process. Checking a credit score and addressing any errors will help expedite the approval process when it comes time to make an offer.

4. Compile Your Paperwork. At the same time homebuyers are working to correct or improve their credit report, they should also pull together the documents they will need to provide the lender. These documents include:

•· Verification of employment form

•· Two most recent pay check stubs

•· Two most recent bank statements

•· Copies of the last two W2 forms received from employer

•· Copies of any asset statements including those for retirement accounts, stocks, bonds or mutual funds

•· Copy of social security card

* If there is a co-applicant on the loan, all of these forms will be required of that person as well.

Get Your Pre-Approval. Once the paperwork is in order, it's time to get pre-approved for a mortgage. "Pre-approval" means that a lender has verified the borrower's credit and other credentials and is committed to making a loan. This is different (and more valuable to sellers) than pre-qualification, which simply gives the borrower an idea of the size of the mortgage he / she might afford without actually committing to a loan.

The borrower is not obligated to get a loan from the lender that offers the pre-approval letter but keep in mind that a pre-approval does involve giving permission for a hard credit inquiry. This could potentially result in a small ding on the borrower's credit report. Getting this early green light, however, will put homebuyers in a stronger position with sellers, demonstrating how serious they are about home ownership - and that they are well-qualified.

Shop for the Most Favorable Mortgage Option. People can face misunderstandings and even lose their homes if they don't fully understand their mortgages. It's imperative for homebuyers to educate themselves on the risks of the different types of mortgages and select the right one for his / her family. Early on, shop around for the most favorable mortgage rate and terms. A difference of even half a percentage point can mean a considerable savings over the life of a loan. For more information on mortgages visit http://www.bankrate.com/mortgage.aspx.

For additional information and provisions on the first-time homebuyer federal tax credit, contact your local Coldwell Banker Real Estate agent or visit www.coldwellbanker.com.

Flanagan Realty Inc. i.e., Coldwell Banker Flanagan Realty located at 1541 Route 37 East, Toms River, NJ 08753, can be reached at 732-270-6100 and www.FlanaganRealty.com. Coldwell Banker Flanagan Realty has been serving the Ocean County market area for over 29 years.

About Coldwell BankerReal Estate

Since 1906, the Coldwell Banker^® organization has been a premier full-service real estate provider. In 2008, Franchise Times magazine's prestigious Top 200 issue ranked the Coldwell Banker system No. 1 in real estate for the ninth straight year and 12th among franchisors in all industries. The Coldwell Banker System has approximately 3,500 residential real estate offices and approximately 100,000 sales associates in 47 countries and territories. The Coldwell Banker System is a leader in the industry in residential and commercial real estate, and in niche markets such as resort, new home and luxury property through its Coldwell Banker Previews International^® division. It is a pioneer in consumer services with its Coldwell Banker Concierge^® Service Program and award-winning Web site, www.coldwellbanker.com. Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC is a subsidiary of Realogy Corporation, a global provider of real estate and relocation services. Coldwell Banker^® is a registered trademark licensed to Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. Each office is independently owned and operated.

August Rally in Toms River, NJ!

Coldwell Banker Flanagan Realty — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 09:29:45 -0500

Photo Credit

Monthly Real Estate Market Report for Toms River, NJ - August 2009

August by the numbers:

•· 88 The number of Single Family Homes CLOSED during the month

•· $399,009 Average LIST price for August*

•· $330,822 Average SALES price for the month*

•· 101 Average DAYS ON the MARKET for August

•· 95.44% The SALES price to LIST price RATIO for the month

•· 784 Number of Single Family Homes ACTIVE on the market in August

•· 8.90 Number of MONTHS it would take to SELL OFF the existing supply of homes on the market, in Toms River, at this rate, if NONE were to come on the market!

August 2009, saw 88 Single Family Homes CLOSE in Toms River, as compared with 67 in August of 2008 (an increase of 24%)! THIS MARKS THE SECOND MONTH, IN A ROW; WE HAVE SEEN WHERE SALES HAVE SURPASSED THE SAME MONTH OF THE PREVIOUS YEAR! Of those 88 homes, 33 were in the price range of $200,000 to $299,999 (37%). Combined with the CLOSINGS from the First Half of 2009, this represents an INCREASE in SALES of 33%, in this particular price range, over the same time last year!

*These averages include Single Family Homes from the beach communities of Ortley, Normandy and Ocean, etc.

Toms River, NJ; July 2009 Closings EXCEED July 2008 Sales!

Coldwell Banker Flanagan Realty — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 12:36:10 -0500

Photo by Eric Goldstein (www.olivestudio.com)

July by the numbers:

•· 96 The number of Single Family Homes CLOSED during the month

•· $384,189 Average LIST price for July*

•· $361,420 Average SALES price for the month*

•· 96 Average DAYS ON the MARKET for July

•· 94.07% The SALES price to LIST price RATIO for the month

•· 779 Number of Single Family Homes ACTIVE on the market in July

•· 8.11 Number of MONTHS it would take to SELL OFF the existing supply of homes on the market, in Toms River, at this rate, if NONE were to come on the market!

July of 2009, saw 96 Single Family Homes CLOSE in Toms River, as compared with 79 in July of 2008. THIS MARKS THE FIRST MONTH WE HAVE SEEN WHERE SALES HAVE SURPASSED THE SAME MONTH OF THE PREVIOUS YEAR! Of those 96 homes, 25 were in the price range of $200,000 to $259,999 (31%). Combined with the CLOSINGS from the First Half of 2009, this represents an INCREASE in SALES of 31.03%, in this particular price range, over the same time last year!

*These averages include Single Family Homes from the beach communities of Ortley, Normandy and Ocean, etc.

The Law of Unintended Consequences

Coldwell Banker Flanagan Realty — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 14:29:17 -0500

What is the "Law of Unintended Consequences"?

From Wikipedia:

Unintended consequences are outcomes that are not (or not limited to) the results originally intended in a particular situation. The unintended results may be foreseen or unforeseen, but they should be the logical or likely results of the action. For example, historians have speculated that if the Treaty of Versailles had not imposed such harsh conditions on Germany, World War II would not have occurred. From this perspective, one might consider the war an unintended consequence of the treaty.

What does the "LoUC" have to do with real estate?

Let's look at 2 current examples:

The Home Valuation Code of Conduct (HVCC)
The Economic Stimulus Plan

How does this relate to real estate in Toms River, NJ?

Click Here to SEE!

Coldwell Banker Flanagan Realty is "On Location"!

Coldwell Banker Flanagan Realty — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 12:41:32 -0500

NEWS RELEASE

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

James Flanagan

732-270-6100

COLDWELL BANKER FLANAGAN REALTY participating in NEW COLDWELL BANKER ‘ON LOCATION' YOUTUBE CHANNEL

Coldwell Banker On Location is First in Industry to Fully Leverage Video for Local Search and Insights

Toms River, NJ, July 31, 2009 - Coldwell Banker Flanagan Realty is announcing its participation in the new Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC branded YouTube channel that offers consumers a new way to search for and interact with real estate information and listings. Named Coldwell Banker On Location (www.youtube.com/coldwellbanker), the channel will fully leverage video to drill deeper into the local insights that consumers want when searching for real estate, and will provide unique information about Ocean County, NJ.

On Location is a collaboration between Coldwell Banker Real Estate, YouTube (a Google subsidiary) and Google. As the first branded YouTube channel to automatically provide local results when visitors first hit the site by using dynamic IP lookup, it is arguably one of the most comprehensive and immersive brand channels on the YouTube platform.

What Makes Coldwell Banker On Location Different?

"This channel allows us to give potential home-buyers a much more in-depth view of what it's like to live in Ocean County, whether they are purchasing their first home, retiring or looking to move because of a new job," said Jim Flanagan, Broker of Record of Coldwell Banker Flanagan Realty. "Our agents are excited that they can use this unique video platform to share knowledge and more effectively showcase their homes online, saving time and energy for consumers."

Coldwell Banker On Location differs from other real estate Web sites by using video to bring real estate more vividly to life - offering behind-the-scene looks at towns and neighborhoods, smart tips and timely news on real estate topics, and video listings of homes for sale. Secondly, content posted to On Location has a strong emphasis on local information and insights, so consumers can dig deeper into the areas of the country that interest them most.

Coldwell Banker Flanagan Realty plans to develop in-depth videos highlighting the unique aspects of Ocean County, NJ, with an emphasis on Toms River and Manchester, as well as videos that feature tips and information about the real estate selling and buying process overall. "Right now, we have an $8,000 Tax Credit available for qualified buyers", noted Jim Flanagan, "that's something we're going share on YOUTUBE!"

Supporting this highly localized perspective is one of the more unique aspects of Coldwell Banker On Location - the ability to search for videos through a special map feature that has been developed specifically for the site. The map ‘widget' is a prominent feature at the top of the On Location site and the main starting point for consumers searching for a home, a specific area of the country or more information on a real estate topic.

Residents of Ocean County, NJ, will automatically be shown local video search results when first visiting the site. If they are looking for homes in another part of the country, they can "Browse By Map," and enter the city / state or zip code of their choosing - immediately pulling up that area's videos listings, local community spotlights and Coldwell Banker sales associate/representative profiles. Consumers can click through to view specific videos - as well as connect back to the main Coldwell Banker Web site to learn more about a specific property for sale.

"Video is a critical part of how today's consumers want to explore real estate, and we intend to use it to an extent never before seen in our industry," said Jim Gillespie, president and chief executive officer, Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. "On Location provides an exciting new platform for our vast network of thousands of sales associates to directly share the kind of local insights and knowledge that is invaluable to consumers hoping to learn about a new area."

"Every month, millions of people search on YouTube for real estate content. Consumers are hungry for real estate-related videos. I'm thrilled that Coldwell Banker is the first in the industry to develop such a substantial innovation for real estate video. I look forward to seeing Coldwell Banker build On Location into one of the most active destinations for real estate search, discussion and engagement."

Some of the video and written content for On Location will be supplied by a select group of content providers, including the Associated Press, CNN, Reel Productions TV, This Old House and TurnHere. Coldwell Banker On Location will complement the company's main Web site at www.coldwellbanker.com - including the ‘Learn' section which features educational content as well as news articles and updates on the real estate sector. It extends the company's already robust social media strategy, which includes Facebook pages for the brand and its two founders, Colbert Coldwell and Arthur Banker, a Twitter feed (www.twitter.com/coldwellbnkr) and profiles on Flickr and FriendFeed.

In addition to using YouTube as a platform, Coldwell Banker Real Estate is leveraging the Google family of ad networks and channels for promotion of On Location. This includes both Google and YouTube search ads, YouTube banner promotions and Google TV.

Development of the On Location site was a collaborative effort by Coldwell Banker interactive agency partners, FD Kinesis and Bootstrap Software, Inc.

To see a video about Coldwell Banker On Location please visit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W1AKZDhUrLY

Don't Be Late!

Coldwell Banker Flanagan Realty — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 17:24:14 -0500

What: First Time Buyers Seminar
When: Saturday, July 25th, (11am to 12:30pm & 2pm to 3:30pm)
Where: The Manchester Library, 21 Colonial Drive
Who: YOU and US (Reputable Mortgage Reps and Real Estate Agents)
Why: Because TIME is running out to "qualify" for the $8,000 Tax Credit!

CLICK Here for video!

First Time Buyers Seminar, in Manchester, on July 25th, 2009!

Coldwell Banker Flanagan Realty — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 10:10:14 -0500

Coldwell Banker Flanagan Realty Hosting First Time Home Buyers Seminar at the Manchester Library on July 25^th, 2009

Coldwell Banker Flanagan Realty is offering free advice on how "qualified buyers" may take advantage of the $8,000 Tax Credit!

Manchester, NJ, July 10, 2009- Coldwell Banker Flanagan Realty announced they will be hosting two sessions for "First Time Home Buyers" on July 25^th, 2009, at the Manchester Library, 21 Colonial Drive, Manchester, NJ 08759. The first session will be 11am until 12:30pm and the second session will be 2pm until 3:30pm. Seating is limited, so please call 732-657-6200 to reserve a space.

"This is a great opportunity for today's first time buyer to learn how to take advantage of the $8,000 Tax Credit that is available for qualified buyers", said Lisa Lawson, Manager, "they could also find out if they qualify for a mortgage too!" Mortgage Representatives from Wells Fargo, Franklin American, Bank of America, Garden State Assets and more, will be on hand to assist potential home buyers with the process.

"Refreshments will be served and door prizes will be awarded, courtesy of our sponsors" thanked Lisa Lawson, "we're anticipating a great turn out, so I would strongly suggest reserving your space!"

Flanagan Realty Inc. i.e., Coldwell Banker Flanagan Realty located at 2501 Route 70, Manchester, NJ 08759, can be reached at 732-657-6200 and www.FlanaganRealty.com. Coldwell Banker Flanagan Realty has been serving the Ocean County market area for over 29 years.

About Coldwell Banker^®

Since 1906, the Coldwell Banker^® organization has been a premier full-service real estate provider. In 2008, Franchise Times magazine's prestigious Top 200 issue ranked the Coldwell Banker system No. 1 in real estate for the ninth straight year and 12^th among franchisors in all industries. The Coldwell Banker System has approximately 3,500 residential real estate offices and 105,300 sales associates in 46 countries and territories. The Coldwell Banker System is a leader in the industry in residential and commercial real estate, and in niche markets such as resort, new home and luxury property through its Coldwell Banker Previews International^® division. It is a pioneer in consumer services with its Coldwell Banker Concierge^® Service Program and award-winning Web site, www.coldwellbanker.com. Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC is a subsidiary of Realogy Corporation, a global provider of real estate and relocation services. Coldwell Banker^® is a registered trademark licensed to Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. Each office is independently owned and operated.

Monthly Real Estate Market Report for Toms River, NJ - June 2009

Coldwell Banker Flanagan Realty — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 21:42:35 -0500

Monthly Real Estate Market Report for Toms River, NJ - June 2009

Photo Credit

June by the numbers:

•· 69 The number of Single Family Homes CLOSED during the month

•· $363,448 Average LIST price for June*

•· $346,680 Average SALES price for the month*

•· 84 Average DAYS ON the MARKET for June

•· 95.38% The SALES price to LIST price RATIO for the month

•· 794 Number of Single Family Homes ACTIVE on the market in June

•· 11.50 Number of MONTHS it would take to SELL OFF the existing supply of homes on the market, in Toms River, at this rate, if NONE were to come on the market!

*These averages include Single Family Homes from the beach communities of Ortley, Normandy and Ocean, etc.

June, 2009, saw 69 Single Family Homes CLOSE in Toms River, as compared with 95 in June of 2008. Of those 69 homes, 15 were in the price range of $200,000 to $250,000 (22%). Combined with the CLOSINGS from the First Quarter of 2009, this represents an INCREASE in SALES of 18.75%, in this particular price range, over the same time last year!

Signs, signs; everywhere are signs!

Coldwell Banker Flanagan Realty — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 09:34:25 -0500

I returned from vacation on Monday to find a "Violation Notice" from the Township of Toms River, NJ, taped to my office door. The "Violation Notice" read:

REMOVE ALL PORTABLE OR SNIPE SIGNS, BANNERS, PENNANTS & TENTS. You are only allowed to have signs which have been approved by the Toms River Planning Board.

The potential fine for failing to comply; $300.00 to $1,000!

What did these "offending" signs say? Here's one at the beginning of my latest video:

The $8,000 Tax Credit and YOU!

Now, I understand the Code Enforcer is just doing their job but, in the midst of the GREAT RECESSION, one may want to take a minute, READ the signs and act accordingly. OR, we could just keep putting out all those ELECTION signs...we know how effective they are...they got us HERE!

YOU be the judge.

Monthly Market Report for Toms River, NJ (May 2009)

Coldwell Banker Flanagan Realty — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 13:54:46 -0500

Photo Credit

May by the numbers:

· 46 The number of Single Family Homes CLOSED during the month

· $356,467 Average LIST price for May*

· $332,528 Average SALES price for the month*

· 86 Average DAYS ON the MARKET for May

· 93.28% The SALES price to LIST price RATIO for the month

· 796 Number of Single Family Homes ACTIVE on the market in May

· 17.30 Number of MONTHS it would take to SELL OFF the existing supply of homes on the market, in Toms River, at this rate, if NONE were to come on the market!

*These averages include Single Family Homes from the beach communities of Ortley, Normandy and Ocean, etc.

May, 2009, saw 46 Single Family Homes CLOSE in Toms River, as compared with 73 in May of 2008. Of those 46 homes, 11 were in the price range of $200,000 to $250,000 (22%). Combined with the CLOSINGS from the First Quarter of 2009, this represents an INCREASE in SALES of 17%, in this particular price range, over the same time last year!

Who wants to have some fun?

Coldwell Banker Flanagan Realty — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 13:35:04 -0500

I originally recorded this video last week, after reading Matthew Ferrara's post Points of Perception. In his post, Matthew proposes that the reason today's home-buyers are still sitting on the proverbial fence, despite; abundant inventory, lower home prices and historically low mortgage rates; may be because the "process" of buying a home today is not fun!

This got me to thinking:

What could I, as a local real estate broker, do to get the message out; buying a home today, in Toms River, NJ, can be alot of fun! So, here's what I came up with. Please let me know what you think:

Click here to watch the video, "Who wants to have some fun?"

Get Off The Fence in Toms River, NJ

Coldwell Banker Flanagan Realty — Wed, 27 May 2009 22:25:06 -0500

Riddle me this Batman; if the lowest home prices and mortgage rates in years, combined with an abundance of homes to choose from, make this the BEST time in recent history to purchase a home, why are so many buyers still sitting on the fence?

Well, while I can't speak for the rest of the country, I can certainly voice my opinion about the real estate market in Toms River, NJ!

Click here to see my weekly TRRET (pronounced treat), which is my acronym for Toms River Real Estate Trends!

Please feel free to comment, criticize or voice your own opinion on your specific market...

Real Estate Market Report for April, in Toms River, NJ

Coldwell Banker Flanagan Realty — Wed, 13 May 2009 14:16:45 -0500

Photo Credit

Monthly Real Estate Market Report for Toms River, NJ - April 2009

April by the numbers:

· 41 The number of Single Family Homes CLOSED during the month

· $373,465 Average LIST price for April*

· $344,655 Average SALES price for the month*

· 95 Average DAYS ON the MARKET for April

· 92.24% The SALES price to LIST price RATIO for the month

· 755 Number of Single Family Homes ACTIVE on the market in April

· 18.41 Number of MONTHS it would take to SELL OFF the existing supply of homes on the market, in Toms River, at this rate, if NONE were to come on the market!

*These averages include Single Family Homes from the beach communities of Ortley, Normandy and Ocean, etc.

April, 2009, saw 41 Single Family Homes CLOSE in Toms River, as compared with 64 in April of 2008. Of those 41 homes, 10 were in the price range of $200,000 to $250,000 (24%). Combined with the CLOSINGS from the First Quarter of 2009, this represents an increase in SALES of 31%, in this particular price range, over the same time last year!

On Location in Toms River, NJ

Coldwell Banker Flanagan Realty — Tue, 05 May 2009 22:06:49 -0500

Welcome to On Location in Toms River, NJ:

CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO!

Ratio of "Distressed Sales" in Toms River, NJ, in March 2009

Coldwell Banker Flanagan Realty — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 11:32:33 -0500

Interesting observation:

Out of the 35 CLOSINGS in March, 14 were in the $200,000 to $300,000 price range. Out of those 14, ONLY 1 was a "Short Sale"!

What does that mean?

It is my professional opinion that we are in the "trough" between "waves" of foreclosures. The CLOSINGS in March were the result of CONTRACTS signed in December and January. With the new, Obama Administration, the "freeze" on foreclosures, "loan modifications" and "Housing Recovery Legislation", we are experiencing a "stall" or "delay" in DISTRESSED SALES.

I applaud the optimism of the current administration but, when over half of the previous "loan modifications" resulted in default within 6 months, I have a difficult time believing, "things will be different this time around."

"Time will tell", as they say. We shall see if April, May and June (traditionally the peak selling season) bring CHANGE or more of the same?

Image Credit

March Madness, in real estate, in Toms River, NJ

Coldwell Banker Flanagan Realty — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 16:13:55 -0500

Monthly Real Estate Market Report for Toms River, NJ - March 2009

March by the numbers:

•·        35 The number of Single Family Homes CLOSED during the month

•·        $372,063 Average LIST price for March*

•·        $348,028 Average SALES price for the month*

•·        116 Average DAYS ON the MARKET for March

•·        93.54% The SALES price to LIST price RATIO for the month

•·        722 Number of Single Family Homes ACTIVE on the market in March

•·        20.62 Number of MONTHS it would take to SELL OFF the existing supply of homes on the market, in Toms River, at this rate, if NONE were to come on the market!

**These averages include Single Family Homes from the beach communities of Ortley, Normandy and Ocean, etc.*

March, 2009, saw 35 Single Family Homes CLOSE in Toms River, as compared with 58 in March of 2008. Of those 35 homes, 14 were in the price range of $200,000 to $250,000 (17%). Combined with the CLOSINGS from January and February 2009, this represents an increase in SALES of 37%, in this particular price range, over the same time last year!

Tomorrow, I will post the same breakdown as last month; as to what percentage of these SALES were "distressed" properties (bank owned and/or short sales).

Photo Credit

Beware the "Ides of March" in New Jersey!

Coldwell Banker Flanagan Realty — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 20:42:55 -0500

(Photo: Vincenzo Camuccini, Mort de César, 1798, courtesy of Wikipedia)

To a joint session of the New Jersey Legislature, Governor Jon Corzine proposed the state's spending plan for the upcoming year. This year's budget proposal was an attack on property owners. Property owners took a major hit when he declared his goal to eliminate the property tax deduction next year on state income taxes for everyone but seniors.

If all the experts agree that "Housing" led us into recession and ONLY "Housing" can lead us OUT of recession, then our government is sabotaging the economic engine of recovery:

First, President Obama considers eliminating the tax deduction on mortgage interest for those with annual incomes greater than $500,000!

Now, Governor Corzine plans on eliminating the property tax deduction for everyone but seniors!

Could we possibly discourage the American Dream of Home Ownership any further?

Could we possibly delay the housing recovery even longer?

Could we possibly take any more from the few that still have?

Et Tu Brute?

Ratio of "Distressed" Sales in Toms River, NJ, in February 2009

Coldwell Banker Flanagan Realty — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 17:07:52 -0600

February 2009 ECHOED January 2009 when it came to the number of "distressed" sales CLOSED between $200,000 and $250,000:

8 Single Family Homes CLOSED in February between $200,000&$250,000
3 were "Short Sales"
2 were "REO's" or Bank Owned
3 were "Traditional" Sales
So, once again in 2009, over half the CLOSINGS between $200,000 and $250,000, in February 2009, were "Distressed Sales"!

As we get into the "Spring Selling Season", it will be interesting to see if this trend continues or diminishes. Remember; the homes that CLOSED in January and February, went UNDER CONTRACT in November, December and January!

Stay tuned...