Mercer County Community College, with campuses in both Trenton and West Windsor, serves more than 13,000 students.  Established in 1966 in Trenton, the college is publicly supported providing education through an open door admission policy.  3/4 of the students are Mercer County residents.  In 1972, the 292-acre West Windsor campus opened, offering county and city residents convenient educational opportunities.  More than 35% of MCCC graduates transfer to senior colleges or universities.  The college offers 64 degree program options, and 48 credit certificate programs.  The 3 most popular are Nursing, Business, and Liberal Arts.

Kelsey Theatre houses diverse and star peformances in an intimate, handicapped-accessible venue.  Currently Mel Brooks' comendy, The Producers, is running, and next on stage will be A Christmas Story.  Kelsey Kids Events planned are Tales of a 4th Grade Nothing, 'Twas the Night before Christmas, The Nutcracker, and Magic with the Nelsons.

The college offers a Fitness Center with swimming, weight machines, and cardio machines.  Their sports programs are an integral focus of life in Mercer County, and bring the community together to support many winning teams.

Currently, and through the weekend, MCCC is hosting the 2009 Men's Soccer National Championship, Division 1.  Sports offered are men's and women's basketball, men's and women's soccer, tennis, baseball, softball.  Some sports offer scholarship opportunities for entering student athletes.  Mercer has won national championships in men's basketball and soccer, and for women's tennis. More than 160 student athletes have earned national All-American honors while competing at Mercer, and hundreds more have gained Region XIX and GSAC honors.

The West Windsor campus offers an aviation program, and MCCC student Judy Galayda took the "Top Pilot Award" at the Intercollegiate Flying Association Region VII Competition this October.  Mercer finished second in the overall team rankings to Dowling College, a four-year school in New York. Only one other community college, Schenectady County, participated in the competition.

You can see why Mercer County Community College is an important resource not just for education but for entertainment in our part of New Jersey.  Contact me for more information about our lifestyle and the benefits of living in central New Jersey - Mercer, Middlesex, Burlington, and Monmouth Counties.

Lovely 4 bedroom, 1.5 bath brick semi-colonial located in a neighborhood near Franklin Park. Move-in condition, featuring a covered front porch, spacious living and dining rooms with wall-to-wall carpeting. Stain glass window and front door, large eat-in kitchen with plenty of cabinet space. Second floor features master suite, full bath and 2 additional bedrooms. A walk up stairway to fourth large 17 x 13 bedroom. This home also has a full finished basement, mud room that takes you out to rear deck for entertaining. Beautifully landscaped fenced in yard with storage shed. Home has security system, newer roof, new hot water heater, great for first time home buyers. Don't miss this one!

Beautiful 3 bedroom, 2 bath split Dutch colonial located in a great area. This home is in move-in condition featuring a spacious living room, formal dining room with access to large back deck perfect for entertaining, hardwood floors throughout, full eat-in kitchen. Master suite has own full bath, walk in closet. Two other nice size bedrooms, lower level features large family room with wood burning fireplace. Nice size yard, all on a beautiful tree lined lot!

The National Assn. of Realtors (NAR) has launched HouseLogic, a new web site resource for home owners.  NAR developed the HouseLogic site to provide home owners with a smart, simple site to help them manage their homes wisely and to help REALTORS® extend their relationship with consumers through the entire lifecycle of homeownership. The site will also allow home owners to speak, together with REALTORS®, to federal legislators on public policy issues, where home owners and the real estate industry have a common interest.  The HouseLogic site will be promoted to consumers beginning in February 2010. Until that time, the site is in beta testing. 

Other exciting news from NAR, timed for release during their convention this week, is the coming (finally) of a national property database.  NAR has acquired technology to create a database of all properties in the U.S.

The technology acquisition includes licensed data and secured data aggregation services from LPS Real Estate Group, a wholly owned subsidiary of Lender Processing Services Inc.  NAR will use the assets to develop the Realtors® Property ResourceTM, a parcel-centric information database covering all of the more than 147 million property parcels in the country, as a resource for NAR members. NAR is planning to launch RPRTM in the second quarter 2010.

NAR President Charles McMillan said, "RPR^TM will give Realtors® nationwide data on all properties at their fingertips so they can respond quickly to consumers interested in residential and commercial real estate."  NAR CEO Dale Stinton added, "Realtors® need to respond quickly to today's tech-savvy consumers, and the RPR^TM provides a means for multiple listing services (MLS), commercial information exchanges (CIEs) and real estate brokerage business models to support the Realtor® community, rather than requiring Realtors to purchase data aggregated by third parties."

RPR^TM will provide nationwide access to public record information such as tax and assessment data, liens, zoning, permits, environmental information, and information on neighborhoods, school district and community demographics, along with advanced search features, as well as market-to-market comparisons and referral opportunities not currently available.

This database has been awhile in coming, but when available, will only help the consumer develop information and research in potential communities and price ranges.  As a Realtor in New Jersey, I am excited to be able to offer my clients more access to relevant data that will save them time and hassle.  Contact me for details on the RPR early next year.

(source:  NAR press release)

According to a recent post on Globest.com by Alyson Grala, "New Jersey employers have shed 94,400 jobs thus far in 2009, reducing the ability of households to meet monthly expenses. As a result, statewide apartment vacancy rose 130 basis points year-over-year to an estimated 4.8% in the third quarter."

In central New Jersey, about 290 new rental units have come on the market so far this year, and average rents have dropped roughly 1.5%.  She states, "revenues remain stable in the Princeton/East Mercer County submarket as a result of steady demand generated by high student and employer concentrations."

The article continues, "In Central and Southern New Jersey, buyers are waiting for clearer signs of job and rental market stabilization before deploying capital. Nevertheless, some investors are staying active, spurred by cap rates in the high-7% range in Middlesex County and initial yields near 9% in Camden County...Compared to other core property sectors, apartments have fared best due to the availability of financing through government-sponsored enterprises Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. However, recent modifications to GSE guidelines will impact lender decisions since borrower requirements include more substantial apartment ownership experience, according to William E. Hughes, senior vice president of Marcus & Millichap Capital Corp."  Loan to value requirements now range from 55-75%, and rates depend on term and borrower strength.

If you are an investor, or would like to be, and see the opportunities in our low prices for multi-family properties, contact me to discuss rental property in Mercer and surrounding New Jersey counties.

Here are the real estate sales for the various townships and boroughs in Mercer County, for single family homes in October, 2009.  There are a lot of areas in Mercer County, so the easiest way to represent all the homes sold is by place.  I can run a similar report for you of condo sales - just let me know if that is your interest.  Contact me for details of any Mercer County or Hamilton, New Jersey neighborhood real estate activity.

Real Estate Sales for Mercer County, October, 2009: Single Family Homes

*Hamilton Township
78 homes sold in October, with a low price of $56,000 and high of $478,220.  83 homes sold in September, 69 in August, and 64 in July, 2009.  This compares to 63 sales in October last year, ranging from $105,000 to $320,000.

*East Windsor Township
26 homes sold in October, with a low price of $140,000 and high of $580,000.  24 homes sold in September, 16  in August, and 15 in July, 2009.  This compares to 16 sales in October last year, ranging from $45,000 to $513,000.

*Robbinsville Township
14 homes sold in October, with a low price of $159,500 and high of $853,500.  20 homes sold in September, 8 in August, and 9 in July, 2009.  This compares to 12 sales in October last year, ranging from $183,000 to $560,000.

*West Windsor Township
26 homes sold in October, with a low price of $217,000 and high of $970,000.  21 homes sold in September, 33 in August, and 28 in July, 2009.  This compares to 20 sales in October last year, ranging from $215,000 to $1,160,000.

*Hopewell Borough & Township
17 homes sold in October, with a low price of $200,000 and high of $1,550,000.  14 homes sold in September, 13 in August, and 19 in July, 2009.  This compares to 13 sales in October last year, ranging from $170,000 to $816,500.

*Princeton Borough & Township
16 homes sold in October, with a low price of $395,000 and high of $3,600,000.  29 homes sold in September, 23 in August, and 28 homes in July, 2009.  This compares to 14 in October last year, ranging from $475,000 to $1,700,000.

*Ewing Township
24 homes sold in October, with a low price of $69,250 and high of $346,000.  23 homes sold in September, 17 in August, and 16 homes in July, 2009.  This compares to 11 in October last year, from $126,500 to $495,000. 

*Hightstown Borough
5 homes sold in October, with a low price of $195,000 and high of $232,000.  4 homes sold in September, 3 in August, and 4 homes in July, 2009.  This compares to 3 in October last year, from $211,000 to $265,000.

*Lawrence Township
33 homes sold in October, with a low price of $117,105 and high of $735,000.  22 homes sold in September, 25 in August, and 19 homes in July, 2009.  This compares to 20 in October last year, from $142,000 to $1,200,000.

*Pennington Borough
1 home sold in October, for $355,000.  2 homes sold in September, $193,500 and $722,500, 1 home in August, and 5 homes in July, 2009.  This compares to 1 sale in October last year, of $315,000.

*Trenton City
41 homes sold in October, with a low price of $8,500 and high of $237,000.  39 homes sold in September, 8 homes in August, and 7 homes in July, 2009.  This compares to 30 sales in October last year, from $6,000 to $300,000. 

*Mercer County
281 homes sold in October, compared to 302 in September, 216 in August, and 214 in July, versus 203 last year in October.
Summary: 
Increases:  East Windsor, West Windsor, Hopewell, Ewing, Hightstown, Lawrence, and Trenton enjoyed increased sales in September.  
Decreases:  Hamilton, Robbinsville, Princeton, and Pennington sales decreased.   County-wide, the different areas balance out each other this October over a year ago.   It is still a strong Buyer's Market.

I can give you sales statistics for any neighborhood or community in Mercer County, as well as Burlington, Monmouth, and Middlesex Counties.  Just ask.

As reported by NJ.com, "The number of residential foreclosure filings in Mercer County was up 39.1 percent in August over the same period last year, keeping pace with a statewide increase of 40 percent, according to the latest figures available from the state judiciary...The August foreclosure figure was 249, up from 179 a year earlier. The August 2009 figure also is up sharply from July of this year, when the county notched 198 foreclosure filings, a 25 percent increase.

"Burlington County foreclosure filings jumped to 289 in August of this year from 206 a year ago. In Monmouth County a striking increase also was seen, to 375 from 268. In Hunterdon County, filings in August climbed to 49 from 42 a year earlier.  The statewide numbers are dropping from their high in June when 6,138 foreclosures were filed and July when 5,820 were tallied in July."  Mercer and Salem Counties increased in August by the highest percent, and Hunterdon and Passaic decreased by the lowest margins.

Nationwide, the foreclosure crisis affected nearly 938,000 properties in the July-September quarter, compared with about 890,000 in the prior three months, according to a report released by RealtyTrac. That puts foreclosure-related filings on a pace to hit about

Numbers are still high in New Jersey because unemployment figures are still high in the state.  Statewide, the numbers are expected to fall below 5,000 in September.  While the economy is likely out of recession, the unemployment rate is now at a 26-year high of 9.8 percent, a rate that isn't expected to peak until the middle of next year.

Realize a foreclosure filing doesn't mean the homeowner actually loses the home.  State and federal programs are helping thousands renegotiate their loans through mediation offered by the lenders.  The article continues, "More than 2,600 New Jerseyans have received counseling through the state's Foreclosure Mediation Program, Gov. Jon Corzine said earlier this month. About 1,450 cases have been completed, and roughly half of the homeowners were able to stay in their homes.  The Obama administration also said roughly 500,000 homeowners nationwide have had their loans modified under the federal "Making Home Affordable" program."

As a part of the program, the administration announced an initiative to provide support to state and local housing agencies, said Lisa Ryan, a state government spokeswoman. The new program is aimed at expanding resources for low and middle income borrowers who want to buy or rent a home and provide low mortgage rates.

If you are having trouble making your mortgage payments, realize you do have options to foreclosure.  I recently listed a home in Ewing which was a short sale and - because it was priced right - it has gone into escrow in a month.  These homeowners will avoid foreclosure because they understood they had to price the home aggressively - there is a lot of competition in Mercer County - and took action early in their financial crisis.  Contact me for a free market analysis of your property - let's talk about your alternatives and how you can avoid foreclosure.

GREAT STARTER HOME! Take Advantage of the $8,000.00 first time home Buyers tax credit. This home features, 3 bedrooms, 1 bath, remodeled kitchen with custom ceramic tile backsplash, new countertops, stainless steel appliances, remodeled bath with ceramic tile, hardwood floors refinished in living room and dining room. Full basement for extra storage, great rear yard with paver patio and brand new 16x20 shed! Close to the River Line for easy commuting to Philadelphia and New York. Seller looking to close quickly!

Lovely move in condition, three bedroom, one full bath colonial. Features; formal dining room with chair rail, living room with cozy stone gas fireplace, access to charming screened porch, full updated kitchen with tile floor. Second floor has three nice size bedrooms, two with wall to wall carpeting, ceiling fans, updated bath, newly refinished hardwood floors throughout. Freshly painted interior, large covered rear patio. Newer storage shed, fenced in yard, newer roof. Close to shopping, near Trenton Country Club, Merrill Lynch and West Trenton train station.

Here are the real estate sales in September for the various townships and boroughs in Mercer County, for single family homes.  There are a lot of areas in Mercer County, so the easiest way to represent all the homes sold is by place.  I can run a similar report for you of condo sales - just let me know if that is your interest.  Contact me for details of any Mercer County or Hamilton, New Jersey neighborhood real estate activity.

Real Estate Sales for Mercer County, September, 2009: Single Family Homes

Hamilton Township

83 homes sold in September, with a low of $18,006 and a high of $485,000.  64 homes sold in July, and 69 in August, 2009.  This compares to 84 sales in September last year, ranging from $110,000 to $690,000.

East Windsor Township

24 homes sold in September, with a low of $65,000 and a high of $465,000. 15 homes sold in July, and 16 in August, 2009.  This compares to 20 sales in September last year, with a range of $78,000 to $580,000.

Robbinsville Township

20 homes sold in September, from $200,000 to $690,900.  9 homes sold in July, and 8 in August, 2009.  This compares to 20 sales in September last year, ranging from $202,000 to $984,450.

West Windsor Township

21 homes sold in September, from $242,500 to $812.500.  28 sales closed in July, and 33 in August, 2009.  This compares to 20 sales in September last year, ranging from $223,500 to $1,250,000.

Hopewell Borough & Township

14 homes sold in September, from $366,000 to $785,000.  19 sales closed in July, and 13 in August, 2009.  This compares to 21 in September last year, from $310,000 to $990,000.

Princeton Borough & Township

29 homes sold in September, from $260,000 to $2,462,500.  28 homes sold in July, and 23 in August, 2009.  This compares to 23 in September last year, from $220,000 to $1,675,000.

Ewing Township

23 homes sold in September, from $73,000 to $325,000.  16 homes sold in July, and 17 in August, 2009.  This compares to 23 in September last year, from $125,000 to $362,000. 

Hightstown Borough

4 homes sold in September, from $236,000 to $305,000.  4 homes sold in July, and 3 in August, 2009.  This compares to 4 in September last year, from $166,000 to $403,200.

Lawrence Township

22 homes sold in September, from $115,000 to $1,400,000.  19 homes sold in July, and 25 in August, 2009.  This compares to 23 in September last year, from $140,000 to $535,000.

Pennington Borough

2 homes sold in September, $193,500 and $722,500.  5 homes sold in July, and 1 home in August, 2009.  This compares to 3 sales in September last year, from $210,000 and $890,000.

Trenton City

39 homes sold in September, from $5,000 to $300,000.  7 homes sold in July, and 8 homes in August, 2009.  This compares to 48 sales in September last year, from $16,000 to $333,900. 

Mercer County

281 homes sold in September, compared to 214 in July and 216 in August, versus 289 last year in September.

Summary:  Hamilton, East Windsor, Robbinsville, Ewing, Lawrence, and Trenton enjoyed increased sales in September.  Princeton and Hightstown sales were flat.  West Windsor, Hopewell, and Pennington sales decreased.   County-wide, the different areas balance out each other this September over a year ago.   It is still a strong Buyer's Market.