Real Estate Scams - Mercer Co NJ is not Immune - 07/29/10 08:20 PM
Realtor.Mag recently published a valuable article on real estate scams and mortgage fraud.  If you work with a reputable Mercer County Realtor and check references for your lender, you may be able to protect yourself.  But be aware of these schemes.
"Mortgage fraud is pervasive: An estimated $4 billion to $6 billion in annual losses result from mortgage fraud, according to FBI reports. 'An entire community can be damaged by mortgage fraud,' says Rachel Dollar, a lawyer from Santa Rosa, Calif., and editor of the Mortgage Fraud Blog. Mortgage fraud can lead to a spike in foreclosures, home values plummeting, and lenders … (0 comments)

Architectural Styles Found in Hamilton Twp and Mercer County NJ - 07/23/10 01:45 PM
We have a lot of different architectural styles in our area of New Jersey, from homes on the National Historic Register to new construction.  We tend to call them all "colonial" but as this pictorial post shows, there are several ways to describe our architectural diversity.
Take a look at "Can You Name that Architectural Style" and get some ideas for your next home.
… (0 comments)

Military Home Buyers in Mercer County - Don't Lose your Tax Credit - 07/23/10 01:37 PM
The extension for miliary buyers passed by Congress last year is not widely known, so here is some information from IRS.gov.
" The Worker, Homeownership and Business Assistance Act of 2009, which was signed into law on Nov. 6, 2009, extends and expands the first-time homebuyer credit allowed by previous Acts. "There are new benefits for members of the military and certain other federal employees:
Members of the military and certain other federal employees serving outside the U.S. have an extra year to buy a principal residence in the U.S. and qualify for the credit. Thus, an eligible taxpayer must buy, or enter into … (0 comments)

Trees add Value to Mercer Co NJ Homes - 07/16/10 07:06 PM
We have beautiful trees in New Jersey which can be more than part of the scenery.  An article from the National Assn of Realtors puts numbers to those energy savings which trees provide. 1. Three properly placed trees could save home owners between $100 and $250 a year in energy costs, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Their shade cuts cooling costs in the summer. In winter, they serve as windbreak and help hold down heating costs.2. The National Tree Calculator estimates that a 12-inch elm in an Omaha yard can save $32.43 a year on homeowners’ energy bills; the same tree … (1 comments)

Bordentown, NJ - Spring St - Bordentown City - SOLD - 07/14/10 10:43 PM
Short Sale and priced to sell. Charming circa “1868” 3 bedroom/1.5 bath Colonial, located in historic Bordentown City. This home reflects the historic history of Bordentown.  Features include hardwood wide-plank flooring, rocking-chair front porch,  an updated eat-in kitchen, 200 amp electric, large rear and side yard, 1-car garage, and off-street parking. Just a short distance to local shops, restaurants, parks, school, River Line, and minutes away from many major transportation routes. This is city living at its best.
… (0 comments)

Six Tips for Mercer County NJ Home Sellers in this Challenging Real Estate Market - 07/08/10 05:41 PM
In a down economy, sellers must compete not only with other homes in the market, but also with buyer's fears and concerns. Selling incentives have always been a way to create additional interest in your property. Today, incentives can help motivate reluctant buyers to make that next step in the face of the present environment.Here are a few of the more common incentives that can be used to draw attention to your home.
1. Paying PointsLenders charge fees known as points, with each point equal to 1% of the total loan amount. The base fee charged (called origination points) typically ranges between … (0 comments)

Mercer County NJ Home Sales Increased Dramatically in June - 07/04/10 10:56 AM
Here are the real estate sales for the various townships and boroughs in Mercer County, for residential sales in June, 2010.  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 by development - just let me know if that is your interest.  Contact me for details of any Mercer County or Hamilton, New Jersey community real estate activity.
Summary: The Mercer County NJ real estate market stayed very busy in June.  The numbers speak for themselves, as sales in almost every area increased substantially … (0 comments)