I thought that this is worth reblogging as a lot of people are getting into facebook and all the talk is about social media.

Great Beginnings! this house oozes with charm and attention to every detail. From the rocking chair porch to the gracious living room with gas fireplace to the outside deck complete with luscious garden and koi pond with waterfall. Kitchen features solid maple cabinets, granite countertops & designer back splash. Master bath with whirlpool tub, marble counter and dual sinks. Fabulous finished lower lever complete with built-in, an office or 4th bedroom laundry room & workshop also 2 CAR garage.

I just finished devouring the book "Profit from Technology" What a great Book!

Easy and fast reading, but don't be fooled it is stuffed to the gills with useful and current information. If you have not read it add it to your summer reading list.

In January, the prospect for a strong Spring Real Estate Market is bleak as under contract properties were down by 27% from a year ago and the economic and financial crisis continue to depress home sales.

The under contract properties of this January are down 48% from January 2005; however New Jersey's actual foreclosure rate in January was .02% ranking it 32nd in the nation. By comparison the national average rate is .05% more than double that in New Jersey.

ON the other hand with mortgage rates dropping in the last couple of weeks,there may be a gentle 'Spring Surge' in home sales as long as mortgage rates fall and remain below 4.75% by the end of March.

I just received this inofrmation from NJ Gas and thought to pass it on.

On February 17, 2009, President Obama signed a stimulus bill, The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, that made significant changes to the energy-efficiency tax credits. Tax credits that were previously effective for 2009 have been extended to 2010 and raised from 10 percent to 30 percent. The maximum credit was also raised from $500 to $1500 for the two years (2009-2010).*   Home improvements eligible under this act include: Roofs Insulation Replacement windows and doors High-efficiency heating and cooling systems High-efficiency water heaters Biomass stoves There are also tax credits for geothermal heat pumps, solar water heaters, solar panels, windmills and fuel cells at 30 percent of the cost, without any upper limit. Click here for details and complete eligibility requirements.   So as spring approaches, remember those energy-saving home improvement projects can not only lower your energy bills and help conserve our natural resources, but also save you valuable tax dollars.   Tax credits for builders of new energy-efficient homes and designers of energy-efficient commercial buildings were also extended. Click here and scroll down to view the details.   *Additional incentives are available through New Jersey's Clean Energy Program.

This past Sunday I was walking the boards in Long Branch NJ takng advantage fo the wonderful weather I came across a group of girls gathered around 2 girls who were wearing only their bright pink tshirts. Curious I stopped to see what was going on on as one of the group was videoing these girls. Come to find out these two girsl from the Long Branch area presumably are applying to be on the amazing race.

2009-02-22-1018-44

From 2009-02-22-1018-44

1. Freddy Mac & Fanny Mae - News for Nov 11, 2008:

New rules for troubled homeowners take effective on Dec 15, 2008

To qualify, borrowers would have to be at least three months behind on their
home loans, and would need to owe 90 percent or more than the home is currently
worth. Investors who do not occupy their homes would be excluded, as would
borrowers who have filed for bankruptcy.

Borrowers would get help in several ways: The interest rate would be reduced so
that borrowers would not pay more than 38 percent of their income on housing
expenses. Another option is for loans to be extended from 30 years to 40 years,
and for some of the principal amount to be deferred interest-free.

2. CitiGroup Plan Announced On Nov 10, 2008

Citigroup said late Monday it is halting foreclosures for borrowers who live in
their own homes, have decent incomes and stand a good chance of making lowered mortgage payments.

3. It is my opinion that the goverment at the very least, will certainly act in an aggressive
way to rescue the housing industry and the economy.

4. Massive Recovery Expected
My opinion and that of Jeffrey Ottreau,appraiser, that we will start a sales recovery not price recovery in mid of 2009.
The recovery will not mean an increase in prices.
We will still have a large inventory which will prevent price increases. OUr current absorption rate for Monmouth County is 10 months. Once we reach an absorption rate of 5 motnhs or less that is when potentially prices can increase.

A $7,500 tax credit for first-time homebuyers that will expire July 1, 2009, must be repaid over 15 years -- making it, in effect, an interest free loan. A dedicated Web site,  www.FederalHousingTaxCredit.com   "The tax credit is the best stimulative measure," NAHB President Sandy Dunn said in a press release. "It will increase housing demand, get home buyers back into the marketplace and fight falling home prices, which threaten the economy as a whole.

As with everything there is a time limit. The house must be contracted between April 9,2008 and before July 1, 2009 to be  eligible.

First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit at a Glance

• The tax credit is available for first-time home buyers only.
• The maximum credit amount is $7,500.
• The credit is available for homes purchased on or after April 9, 2008 and before
  July 1, 2009.
• Single taxpayers with incomes up to $75,000 and married couples with incomes up to $150,000 qualify for the full tax credit.

 Monday JULY 21, 2008
7:30

Tinton Falls Municipal Building
556 Tinton Ave.
Tinton Falls  NJ 07724

Wednesday JULY 23, 2008
6:30

Maple Place School
2 Maple Place
Oceanport NJ 07757

RSVP 732-935-5966 or email event.rsvp@gov.state.nj.us

There but for the grace of God go I unscathed and all of us in the Two River community!
I live in Sea Bright and yes on a very blustery east or north east wind day or night, the full moon and the high tide Sea Bright's down town streets flood. Thankfully most houses as mine are raised and do not flood inside.

Remember the '93 storm? Our house was just inches from having water inside. We lost everything in the garage. As a result I can certainly feel the pain these flood victims are going through.

I watch night after night on television in horror how these people along the Mississippi River are losing everything in a flood that they never dreamed of woudl happen to them. As I watch I thank God for my house, my family and that I personally have not experienced the loss that they are having. As I am thanking God I am also asking myself how can I help these people, what can I do?

The only actions right now I can think of, is to put it on as many websites I own, blogs, face book etc. Write news articles in the local newspapers and try to rally our waterfront community to help. Below I have included links to places where we can donate or mail items. When I find other links I will keep positng them as I find the,

Remember Christmas is only 6 months from now and most of these people will not recover from this disaster by then.

I ask my fellow residents in the Two River community as well as any and ALL waterfront communities

Let's GET TOGETHER and PITCH IN our Help and let them know that the waterfront communites are there along side of them in any means or ways we can.

Thank you!

You can email me any ideas or thoughts you may have to help these people

United Way: Items can be dropped off at or mailed to the United Way of Lewis County, 450 Northwest Pacific Ave., Chehalis, WA, 98532. People should call (360) 748-8100 before dropping off items.

 American Red Cross: The organization is asking for monetary donations only. To donate: 800-RED-CROSS or www.redcross.org. Donations meant specifically for the state's flood victims should be designated as such.

The Salvation Army: The greatest need is for monetary donations, gas cards and gift cards to home-improvement stores and chain stores. To donate: 800-SAL-ARMY or www.salvationarmynw.org

 R.Placeof Refuge: The Kent organization is accepting everything except furniture. Kelly Carroll, executive director, is asking for everything from canned food to gift cards to Christmas gifts. Information: www.rplaceofrefuge.org or 206-255-1178.