Malik Crichlow Maplewood,SouthOrange,Union Real estate's Blog

ATTN: BUILDERS/DEVELOPERS CLINTON HILL (NEWARK) LAND IS NOW AVAILABLE...IT'S TIME TO BUILD!

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 05:32:38 -0700

The Newark Building Lot’s Proposal

The Properties:

This is a private sale of 26 Building Lots in Newark’s Upper Clinton Hill Section.

The Situation:

26 Building Lots Available
All approved for Zone 2 Residential Homes
The lot size is 25x100 per lot on average ( none smaller)
The taxes are between $900.00 and $1,350.00 ( none higher)
This is not on the MLS for sale
There is no realtor involved
We want to sell it as a package but will listen to group sales
No 1off sales will be allowed
The lots are being sold AS IS

The Cost:

We are looking for Twelve Thousand Five hundred ($12,500.00) per lot as a package.
If we sell it in groups the price will be slightly more.

The Property Condition:

·They are cleaned off empty lots.

·We are not responsible for any debris that may or may not have been placed on the lots lately.

·All property info will be provide on the next page

for more details Contact Us today and let's make a deal!

Malik Crichlow
BROKER/OWNER , CDPE, SFR
GoodBuy Homes NJ Realty
1811 Springfield Avenue Suite 2

Maplewood, NJ 07040
Office: 973.762.4662

Direct: 347.538.6864
Fax: 973.843.0277

Info@Goodbuyhomesnj.com
GO TEAM GREEN!!!

Why you will love Living in Maplewood/South Orange NJ!

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 14:00:50 -0700

Being a New Yorker who moved to New Jersey a few years ago I must say it was a real eye opening experience. New York is fast paced, aggressive and can be somewhat cold (the concrete jungle)

if your not use to the customs; whereas New Jersey (the garden state) has tons of tree's and outdoor living mixed with a blend (just like NY) of all types of people and cultures. I will say both are interesting places to live and both have pro's and con's.

Now enough about that, let's discuss two towns that are great places to live if you are a New Yorker seeking a break from the city grind or if you already reside in NJ and want to find a small oasis that has pretty much everything you could ever ask for in a community...then think Maplewood & South Orange.

With a shared school district

and a mid town direct train that takes just 25 minutes to reach New York Penn Station (home of MSG and the NY Knicks...Go Knicks) you will find a great town mixed with an great blend of outdoor and indoor activities, family, fun, food and a great sense of community all wrapped up in two lovely towns.

Let's discuss both towns so you can get a better understanding of why so many people call these towns home.

Maplewood History

Maplewood was first settled by Europeans around 1675. Prior to that, this area was inhabited by the Lenape tribes of Algonquin Native Americans. It was incorporated on April 1, 1861 as South Orange Township. At that time, it was a part of Clinton Township. In 1838, the Morris and Essex Railroad was extended to the township. A railroad station was built in Jefferson Village named Maplewood. On November 7, 1922, the South Orange Township was renamed to Maplewood.

Maplewood and nearby Attractions

South Mountain Reservation
Eagle Rock Reservation
Montclair Art Museum
Liberty Hall
Visual Arts Center of New Jersey
New Jersey Historical Society Museum
Edison National Historic Site
GoodBuy Homes NJ Realty (the best Realtors work here!)

Things To Do In Maplewood

There are several beautiful landscapes in Maplewood where one can enjoy a wonderful family picnic in one of its many parks, take a swim at the Maplewood swimming pool or workout at one of the local gyms or at one of its fitness centers like Blue Life Karate & Fitness. You can also take in a movie at the Maplewood Theater or take a stroll down Maplewood Avenue and see a host of great stores and shops. The township also includes tennis courts, basketball courts, baseball fields and playgrounds. In addition, Maplewood includes a number of restaurants that serve quality international and regional delicacies. Visit http://www.maplewoodonline.com/ for even more info about this great town.

Maplewood Transportation

International air transportation is available from Newark Liberty International Airport.

Maplewood Higher Education

The nearest universities and colleges are Seton Hall University, Caldwell College, the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey and Bloomfield College.

South Orange Village History

The Lenape Native Americans were the original inhabitants of the region that is now known as the South Orange Village. The land was purchased from them in the year 1666 by Robert Treat, and in the very same year Newark was founded on the banks of the Passaic River. The region was named “Orange” after William of Orange, one of the rulers of England. Though the official incorporation date of the South Orange Village is May 4, 1869, it was then formed within the South Orange Township. In 1904 the Village of South Orange was separated from South Orange Township.

South Orange Village and nearby Attractions

Kearny Museum
Edison National Historic Site
Turtle Back Zoo
Cora Hartshorn Arboretum & Bird Sanctuary

Things To Do In South Orange Village

Home of Seton Hall University patrons of South Orange Village can visit many of the historic sites and museums like the Edison National Historic Site, the Liberty Hall, the Kearny Museum, the Montclair Art Museum and the New Jersey Historical Society Museum. Animal lovers can take a trip to the various zoos and aquariums nearby including the Staten Island Zoo, the Turtle Back Zoo, the Cora Hartshorn Arboretum & Bird Sanctuary and the New York Aquarium. After all of that adventure don't forget to grab a ticket for one of the many events hosted by the South Orange Performing Arts Center or a tasty burger at Stoney's with a fresh scoop of Ice Cream courtesy of Cold stones to cap off what should have been a great day! visit http://www.southorange.org/ for more about this great town!

South Orange Village Transportation

Air transportation is available from Newark International Airport.

South Orange Village Higher Education

Educational facilities are available at Bloomfield College, Caldwell College, Montclair State University, Essex County College and Seton Hall University.

As a local Real Estate Broker I have to tell you that you can get more bang for your buck in my two towns as we feature some great homes ranging from as low as 200k to as high as 1m plus, so no one is left out! Great schools, outdoor festivals and activities mixed with friendly people and Beautiful homes; this should be a no brainer...Now I could tell you tons of reasons why Maplewood and South Orange are Great towns; but don't just take my word for it, come see for yourself.

Malik Crichlow
BROKER/OWNER , CDPE, SFR
GoodBuy Homes NJ Realty
1811 Springfield Avenue Suite 2

Maplewood, NJ 07040
Office: 973.762.4662

Direct: 347.538.6864
Fax: 973.843.0277

Info@Goodbuyhomesnj.com
GO TEAM GREEN!!!

Lovely Cape Cod with all the trimmings!! 67 Revere Ave Union, NJ 07083

Wed, 07 Dec 2011 16:17:31 -0800

Just pack your bags and move right in! this home has it all!!

Incredible value at this price!!!!

This is a Must See!!! Stunning Cape completely Renovated w/spacious size rooms, 4 beds, 3 Full baths, Nice Size EIK w/Granite Countertops & Ceramic Tiles. Also includes a Fully Finish Basement w/Full Bath & Large Master Suite Oasis upstairs equipped with Private Bath & Sky Light. Plenty of Closet Space, New Windows & Roof. This Lovely Cape has Beautiful Hardwood floors thru out and is Move in Ready!

Modern Kitchen
Equipped with SS app & Granite Countertops

Exterior View

Front View

Finished Basement

Just pack your bags and move right in! this home has it all!! Incredible value at this price!!!!

Malik Crichlow
BROKER/OWNER , CDPE, SFR
GoodBuy Homes NJ Realty
1811 Springfield Avenue Suite 2

Maplewood, NJ 07040
Office: 973.762.4662

Direct: 347.538.6864
Fax: 973.843.0277

Info@Goodbuyhomesnj.com
GO TEAM GREEN!!!

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION 26 Orchard Rd. Maplewood NJ Rental Unit now available!

Wed, 07 Dec 2011 16:04:01 -0800

GREAT RENTAL PROPERTY IN MAPLEWOOD NJ

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION!

Enjoy the benefits of Maplewood Living in this lovely space that is move in
ready. Enjoy a cozy 2 Bedrooms, 1 bath, formal Dining room and nice size kitchen
in this Orchard rd Rental. This unit comes with an assigned garage parking spot,
Jitney bus just steps away from the front door & Heat is also included in
the rental price, this is a MUST see!

LOCATION IS EVERYTHING! This nice size Maplewood 2 Bedroom 1 Bath first floor unit has beautiful hardwood floors is freshly painted and is Move in Ready!

Malik Crichlow
BROKER/OWNER , CDPE, SFR
GoodBuy Homes NJ Realty
1811 Springfield Avenue Suite 2

Maplewood, NJ 07040
Office: 973.762.4662

Direct: 347.538.6864
Fax: 973.843.0277

Info@Goodbuyhomesnj.com
GO TEAM GREEN!!!

Here's why you shouldn't take the last home inspectors word for it

Thu, 20 Oct 2011 17:02:02 -0700

I have some

...

The Bad News: I had a buyer who placed an offer on a property not too long but unfortunately they were just a little too late as another buyer had beat them to it.

The Good News: The deal fell through!!! so my buyers are back in the drivers seat towards buying their Dream Home...

Here's the kicker, the seller of the property accepted our offer and the agent stated that we did not need to do a home inspection because the last buyer had completed one already. I explained to my buyer that not all home inspectors are created equal and you should still get your own done. We did request that they send us the report so we could review and compare to ours...Luckily we did because after reviewing the previous report we found that the home inspector did not catch anything that our inspector did which were some pretty big items (beam that needed to be re-supported, old knob and tube wiring and lets not forget the stairs in the rear that need to be completed destroyed and rebuilt) talk about dodging a bullet...The question is how did the inspector miss that? My clients inspector said it would of cost her thousands to repair the damages that were missed in the previous report. We ended up getting a credit and now we are moving forward in the deal. Thank God we opted for another report! Its important to remember that not all inspectors are thorough and some quite frankly just don't care; so you should choose an inspector much like you choose your Real Estate Agent, Loan Officer and Attorney; and that's with much thought, research and consideration.

The moral of the story is; ALWAYS GET A HOME INSPECTION; and if there is a previous inspection report in place; either get a second opinion or get your own inspector in there to complete a whole new report. Sometimes having a second pair of eyes can be the difference in buying your dream home or a real

I know we are all looking to save where we can but don't try to save $400.00 on a new home inspection now only to end up costing you thousands more down the line.

Malik Crichlow
BROKER/OWNER , CDPE, SFR
GoodBuy Homes NJ Realty
1811 Springfield Avenue Suite 2

Maplewood, NJ 07040
Office: 973.762.4662

Direct: 347.538.6864
Fax: 973.843.0277

Info@Goodbuyhomesnj.com
GO TEAM GREEN!!!

GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR INVESTOR OR OWNER OCCUPANT NORTH SIDE 2 FAMILY BRICK

Wed, 28 Sep 2011 15:05:52 -0700

Awesome Deal on this North Side Brick Beauty! Why rent when you can own? this
home is perfect for an owner occupant or as an investment opportunity. Live in
one & Rent the other, WELCOME HOME!

List Price: $199,000

NOW THIS HOME IS A GOOD BUY! Great house located on the Nortth Side of Newark has all the potential to be a true Diamond in the rough! Live in one and rest
the other or use it as an investment! This house will not last! Nice size Brick
Beauty features 6 bedrooms, 2 full baths and so much more!

Malik Crichlow
BROKER/OWNER , CDPE, SFR
GoodBuy Homes NJ Realty
1811 Springfield Avenue Suite 2

Maplewood, NJ 07040
Office: 973.762.4662

Direct: 347.538.6864
Fax: 973.843.0277

Info@Goodbuyhomesnj.com
GO TEAM GREEN!!!

GORGEOUS IVY HILL COLONIAL IS THE RIGHT HOME FOR THE RIGHT PRICE!

Wed, 28 Sep 2011 14:56:24 -0700

OPPORTUNITY IS KNOCKING AT THE DOOR! Come see this Lovely Ivy Hill Colonial that has it all! 4 Levels of Living space, finished attic and basement, This is a MUST SEE! Sellers are motivated, this is a short sale and subject to lender approval!

List Price: $149,000

WELCOME HOME!!!

This is a GOODBUY!! Come see this Lovely Ivy Hill Colonial that features 4 levels of Living space! This home has 4 bedrooms 1.5 baths, Livingroom, Formal Diningroom, Eat in Kitchen, den, finished basement & Attic. Nestled close to the Maplewood border this home is nearby to Shopping, Restaurants, Transportation and so much more!

Malik Crichlow
BROKER/OWNER , CDPE, SFR
GoodBuy Homes NJ Realty
1811 Springfield Avenue Suite 2

Maplewood, NJ 07040
Office: 973.762.4662

Direct: 347.538.6864
Fax: 973.843.0277

Info@Goodbuyhomesnj.com
GO TEAM GREEN!!!

$5,000 towards Buyers Closing Cost! what a deal on this Newark Townhome!

Wed, 28 Sep 2011 14:50:39 -0700

Why Rent When You Can Own??? Renovated townhouse features 3 bedrooms, 1.5 baths.Freshly painted, Brand new hardwood floors, ceramic tiles, countertops, toilets,vanities,in and so much more.

$135,000

WELCOME HOME!!!

JUST REDUCED!!! THIS IS THE BEST BUY FOR YOUR BUCK! $5,000 towards buyers closing cost!

Just bring your clothes and move right in!!!! Welcome home to this lovely townhome; it has been completed renovated and is in move in condition. Newer roof, Livingroom, DR, Kitchen w/SS Appl , Beds and Bath have all been tastefully upgraded and is ready for someone new to call it home . Don't miss out on your opportunity to own a like new townhome that is close to downtown and features all the amenities you could ever need in a home. Assigned parking right out front, access to large backyard, plenty of space and I did I forget to mention...Priced to sell! .

Malik Crichlow
BROKER/OWNER , CDPE, SFR
GoodBuy Homes NJ Realty
1811 Springfield Avenue Suite 2

Maplewood, NJ 07040
Office: 973.762.4662

Direct: 347.538.6864
Fax: 973.843.0277

Info@Goodbuyhomesnj.com
GO TEAM GREEN!!!

Location, Location, Location Cozy Hackensack Cape is close to Everything!

Wed, 28 Sep 2011 14:45:17 -0700

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION Great House for a Great Price!

Lovely Hackensack , NJ Cape Cod

$179.000

WELCOME HOME!!!

Location is everyhting and this home is located near it all!!!

This is a must see, Cozy Cape Cod is close to everything! Features 2 beds,1 Bath, Formal Diningroom and Livingroom all set in a Lovely neighborhood. This is a Short sale, subject to lender approval.

Malik Crichlow
BROKER/OWNER , CDPE, SFR
GoodBuy Homes NJ Realty
1811 Springfield Avenue Suite 2

Maplewood, NJ 07040
Office: 973.762.4662

Direct: 347.538.6864
Fax: 973.843.0277

Info@Goodbuyhomesnj.com
GO TEAM GREEN!!!

WEST ORANGE NEW JERSEY RANCH HAS IT ALL PLUS SO MUCH MORE

Wed, 28 Sep 2011 14:38:12 -0700

WOW!!! Great Price for this Large Expanded Raised Ranch in the Pleasentdale section of West Orange!

$265,000

Spacious yet cozy this Lovely Brick Home stands firm with 4 bedrooms, 2 full
baths/1 half bath, partially finished basement, Sun room, Family room, Nice size
backyard and plenty of room to expand; all while being situated on a nice size
60 x 125 lot. THIS IS HOME!!! Priced to sell this home has it all and still has
room to grow! Also features a wood buring fireplace, forced hot air/central air
and is close to everything; including schools, shopping, places of worship and
transportation...Welcome Home to one of West Orange's Finest!!!

Malik Crichlow
BROKER/OWNER , CDPE, SFR
GoodBuy Homes NJ Realty
1811 Springfield Avenue Suite 2

Maplewood, NJ 07040
Office: 973.762.4662

Direct: 347.538.6864
Fax: 973.843.0277

Info@Goodbuyhomesnj.com
GO TEAM GREEN!!!

New Jersey Residents are fighting the good fight against Mosquitoes!

Mon, 26 Sep 2011 08:31:21 -0700

If you are from New Jersey I am sure you have notices that the Mosquito activity has seemed excessive over the past few weeks. I thought it was just me when I was out on Friday showing houses to a client and each time we approached the front door we were hit with a swarm of Mosquitoes.

This continued all weekend long as I took my Dog Bella for a walk; it seems like everywhere I turn there is more and more annoying and possibly deadly Mosquitoes.

The state departments of Environmental Protection (DEP) and Health and Senior Services (DHSS) are urging state residents to take precautions to protect themselves from mosquito-borne West Nile virus by taking some simple steps to reduce populations of the insect on their own properties.

Concerns are elevated this year because many areas of the state are still wet as a result of excessive rainfall, severe flooding (Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee) and higher than normal temperatures at the moment as summer comes to an end. Wet areas serve as breeding grounds for mosquitoes and home owners are advised to take some precautions in hopes of limiting exposure.

Trust me I am not any kind of insect expert; but here are some things that you can try to help yourself and your family avoid these annoying and potentially dangerous insects.

Buy insect repellent and use to protect areas of the body that have the most exposure.
Limit Outdoor Exposure (if possible)
Wear Protective Clothing
Try non toxic chemical treatment Garlic Mosquito Barrier (I hear it's pretty good) it's a very strong liquid garlic made from very potent garlic
cloves.
If outdoors for a longer period of time try to utilize those smoke repellents; some say they help limit the amount of Mosquitoes that swarm the area.
Try Bounce Fabric Softener Sheets, from what I hear if you wipe and go it does serve as a repellent to Mosquitoes.
Remove still water from garbage can lids or flower pots.
Clean clogged roof gutters; because leaves from surrounding trees have a tendency to plug up the drains and often time gets overlooked but can produce millions of mosquitoes each season.
Clean and chlorinate swimming pools that are not being used. Be aware mosquitoes may even breed in the water that collects on top of pool covers.

Those are just some ideas to help deal with this problem; from what I read the Mosquito problem should be around till mid October so these precautions are not just for today or tomorrow but for weeks ahead. I also found these numbers if anyone feels that there problem is a little more severe than usual.

If you have problems controlling mosquitoes, contact your county mosquito control agency by calling 888-666-5968.

For more DEP information visit: www.nj.gov/dep/mosquito
Visit the State Department of Health and Senior Services: www.state.nj.us/health/cd/westnile

Malik Crichlow
BROKER/OWNER , CDPE, SFR
GoodBuy Homes NJ Realty
1811 Springfield Avenue Suite 2

Maplewood, NJ 07040
Office: 973.762.4662

Direct: 347.538.6864
Fax: 973.843.0277

Info@Goodbuyhomesnj.com
GO TEAM GREEN!!!

The day before the world changed...my personal story

Sat, 10 Sep 2011 08:51:34 -0700

Hey Malik, when is your Birthday? my response; " The day before the World changed" some look at me strange while others get it right away...those that do understand what I mean by that usually responds with ohhhhhhh, sorry to hear that! But I always reply; "its not about me, its about those that we lost..."

Birthdays are supposed to be about BIG Birthday cakes, loud music, great food and good friends but for me it always feels like the day before the World changed and not about me at all...May sound strange but it is my truth.

September 11 2001 was the day the World changed Forever and also changed the way I celebrate Birthday's probably for the rest of my life. Ever year since that dreadful day I have spent the week leading up to along with day of and the days after my born day seeing people in tears as a result of lost loved ones and friends who died on that Tragic day.

I remember on that morning I was at home because I took a week long vacation for my Birthday and I was watching the news thinking to myself WOW! how could someone be so stupid and drive a plane into a building? this was before I realized it was a Terrorist Attack. I remember watching the 2nd tower get hit and thinking that there's no way this is a mistake now. I called my mother instantly but the phones were down everywhere...it was one of the worst days I ever had. By the time I finally got in contact with my Mother by phone; there were 2 fallen towers, thousands of lives lost and millions of lives affected by this event. My mother ended up walking home from Midtown Manhattan all the way to Brooklyn, NY where I was living at the time...those minutes felt like hours as I waited for her to get close enough to where I could drive and pick her up. What a day...Now every Birthday since I have had all kinds of mixed emotions from Happiness, sadness and even guilt because I feel funny about celebrating on a day of such pain for so many people....

Well AR today is my Birthday so I am going to make the best of it! I'll let you all know how the day went once its all over with! by the way

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MEEEEE!

May all those we lost, find Peace and all those that lost find healing!

Malik Crichlow
BROKER/OWNER , CDPE, SFR
GoodBuy Homes NJ Realty
1811 Springfield Avenue Suite 2

Maplewood, NJ 07040
Office: 973.762.4662

Direct: 347.538.6864
Fax: 973.843.0277

Info@Goodbuyhomesnj.com
GO TEAM GREEN!!!

NO you cannot show my house today because a Tree fell on it!

Mon, 29 Aug 2011 14:06:01 -0700

I guess the title says it all huh?

Hurricane Irene did some serious damage this past weekend to home owners in New Jersey as downed power lines, flooded streets, destroyed trees and broken branches can be seen almost everywhere. Many areas in Maplewood, Milburn, West Orange, Irvington & Nutley have little to no water and some areas also do not have electricity as New Jerseys power company states that outages could last up to 7 days because of the severe situation at hand.

Here are some actual photos I took on Sunday in the Morning

South Orange, NJ Maplewood, NJ

South Orange, NJ Milburn, NJ

Newark, NJ

Anyhow, back to my story; so my Agent calls me this morning inquiring on whether or not we would be open today; I told her that we will be open because our electricity was turned back on this morning, so for GBH NJ, we are back to business as usual. So I over hear what appears to be someone screaming with my agent on the phone so I approach her to investigate. The women (who is irate by the way) at this point tells my agent that she wants to speak to the Broker...So I pick the phone and request that the woman first calm down and allow me to truly get an idea of what is going on? She said "A TREE FELL ON MY HOUSE and your Agent is calling me about showing it!" I placed her on hold and and asked my agent; what happened? She says; " well I contacted the listing agent and requested the showing; the listing agent told me to contact the home owner, so I did; then the women starts yelling at me." I get back on the phone and apologize to the women about the situation but let her know that my Agent is not at fault because she spoke to your Agent who instructed her to call you in regards to showings. She said; "well don't call me again because I don't know what will become of this house now" then she hangs up on me.

I explain to my agent not to call this person back regarding her listing. It did make me wonder on who is really at fault here?

Is it the Agent unaware of the situation calling at a bad time ?

The listing agent who did not check in with the home owners that he represents to see what the situation is after a tough storm?

The home owner who is taken her anger out on someone who knows nothing about the situation; and if she did would never had called in the first place?

Hey ActiveRain what do you think??

Malik Crichlow
BROKER/OWNER , CDPE, SFR
GoodBuy Homes NJ Realty
1811 Springfield Avenue Suite 2

Maplewood, NJ 07040
Office: 973.762.4662

Direct: 347.538.6864
Fax: 973.843.0277

Info@Goodbuyhomesnj.com
GO TEAM GREEN!!!

It's just me, myself and Irene...New Jersey DAY 1 Morning/Afternoon update

Sat, 27 Aug 2011 13:26:40 -0700

So I woke up this morning (a little late) grabbed a snack and made it just in time to my Martial Arts class with little to no signs of Hurricane Irene. As I started to leave at around 10:30am it did start to rain (off and on) but nothing to serious. By the time I got home it had started to get a little rougher, BUT hardly a Hurricane. It is said that everyone in the Greater New York Area will feel this storm, with rain falling on us all. This storm is likely to drop between 6 and 12 inches of torrential rainfall, starting on Saturday morning and continuing until Sunday evening. Some spots may receive up to 15 inches.

In one way this storm is a BOOST to the economy; as consumers have been buying groceries, hardware store supplies and gas at a extremely high rate, which I am sure store owners are not complaining about it, especially in this economy. I personally went in to the local Pathmark and there was not 1 bottle of water or bread available...crazzzzzzy! the lines were so bad that I could not even wait, I just left.

*Also there has been 2 reported deaths (a surfer died and a man in North Carolina was struck by a tree branch) so people please be careful, stay indoors; especially folks in expected hard hit areas.

It is important to understand that many State and private companies have closed there doors so I figured I'd provide some information about what to expect.

GoodBuy Homes NJ Realty: will be closed until Monday morning at 10am if weather permits, we advised all of our staff and clients to stay away until all is clear from Irene.

NJ Road Closures: The southbound lanes of the Garden State Parkways from Exit 98 in Wall Township to the southern end of the state were closed in order to facilitate northbound traffic. No traffic was allowed into Atlantic City after 6 p.m. Friday. Casinos and hotels will close at noon Saturday, some started closing from Friday night.

NJ Transit: All NJ rail service will shut down beginning at 12 p.m. on Saturday. Station waiting rooms controlled by NJ Transit will remain open throughout the weekend. Bus, Light Rail and Access Link service will be suspended as of 6 p.m. Saturday. The Path Train Service has been suspended until further notice.

The MTA: which is NYC transportation service (subway & Buses) have suspended services as on noon today in all directions.

Bridges and Tunnels: Governor Andrew Cuomo's office said major bridges in the city and lower Hudson Valley and the state Thruway will close if sustained wind speeds top 60 mph. Cuomo suspended tolls at the Cross Bay Veterans Memorial, Marine Parkway-Gil Hodges Memorial Bridge, Verrazano-Narrows, Throgs Neck and Bronx-Whitestone bridges.

Banks & ATM: Many banks and ATM have closed early and will not be accessible until Monday or Tuesday.

Airports: Newark International and Teteboro Airport will have many cancellations as a result of the storm. Do not to be surprised if all flights are cancelled in the event we get extreme high winds mixed with the rain. The five main New York City-area airports closed to arriving passenger flights beginning at noon

I hope this info helps the residents of NJ & NY as this storm heads our way, I am one of those people that don't believe this storm will be as bad as predicted but that's just me, so I did not run to the stores and stock up on groceries and supplies but if you did; I understand and I wish everyone the best!

Remember people be smart...be careful and be safe...See you on Monday! If you get bored at home (and you have power) check out Me, Myself and Irene starring Jim Carey, its a pretty funny movie.

Malik Crichlow
BROKER/OWNER , CDPE, SFR
GoodBuy Homes NJ Realty
1811 Springfield Avenue Suite 2

Maplewood, NJ 07040
Office: 973.762.4662

Direct: 347.538.6864
Fax: 973.843.0277

Info@Goodbuyhomesnj.com
GO TEAM GREEN!!!

Panic builds in New Jersey as Hurricane Irene makes her way to the east coast!

Fri, 26 Aug 2011 13:48:03 -0700

"WOW!!! I just drove by home depot in Springfield, New Jersey and the line was ridiculous...people are over preparing for this hurricane, I must admit I have not done much to prepare for it myself"

As Hurricane Irene approaches the Southern East Coast many residents are packing into local department stores such as Home Depot, Target, Grocery stores and more preparing for impact...

As of today the Hurricane is still considered highly dangerous and residents of projected areas are advised to stay indoors where hopefully it is safe. Here is some info about the Hurricane you need to know.

The threat level is "EXTREME" along the East Coast from eastern North Carolina to southern New England.
Irene is a hurricane that poses an extraordinary threat and is one that no one has yet experienced in North Carolina to the mid-Atlantic to the Northeast and New England. This includes Norfolk, Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York City, Hartford, and Boston. This hurricane has the potential to produce flooding rains, high winds, downed trees (on houses, cars, power lines) and widespread power outages. Significant impacts along the immediate coast include high waves, surge and beach erosion.
Timing:Irene will make its closest approach to North Carolina late Friday night through Saturday. Northeast U.S. impacts would be Saturday night through early Monday.

If you can make it the stores before everything sells out, here some good items to try and buy to prepare for the storm. Also some things to consider just in case the power goes out and you need supplies to hold you over for a few days:

RULE #1 DON'T PANIC!!!! this will only cause you to act irrational and in times of crisis, you need to make accurate and precise decisions.
First aide kit
Bottled water
flashlights/batteries
candles/ matches
board windows
non-perishable packaged or canned food / juices
Battery operated radio to check local news for updates
Cash w/ small bills in case power goes out and you cannot run to the ATM
Fill up your car with gas, if you need to go quickly, a full tank will get you pretty far
A place to go in an emergency, arrange a location in advanced as a pre-caution
Check your policy! now is a good time to see if your home insurance covers flood, (most of the time it doesn't)
Place your Exterior garbage cans, patio furniture etc...(basically anything that the wind can grab) and put it in your garage for safe keep.
Check out those trees that need to be trimmed or cut down and consider doing so; those trees can be uprooted quickly in the event of extreme high winds
Lastly think of some things to do...if the lights go out; that means no Internet or cable so be prepared to snuggle with your significant other or play some board games with the family, because you may be stuck for a little while.

GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!

For all you daredevils out there, keep in mind that this storm is not the one to catch the big wave (if your a surfer) or the one to videotape with your cell phone for a you tube video...its not worth your life... Be prepared...Be smart...Be ready...and most importantly be safe...

I hope that no one needs any of these tips and this storms blows over with little to no damage. I hope that everyone survives this storm and wish you all the best.

Malik Crichlow
BROKER/OWNER , CDPE, SFR
GoodBuy Homes NJ Realty
1811 Springfield Avenue Suite 2

Maplewood, NJ 07040
Office: 973.762.4662

Direct: 347.538.6864
Fax: 973.843.0277

Info@Goodbuyhomesnj.com
GO TEAM GREEN!!!

Why did the Ground just shake in New Jersey?

Tue, 23 Aug 2011 14:32:07 -0700

Earthquake tremors felt in New Jersey after VA Quake

So I was sitting in my office working on a few things and I felt something that I never felt before...the ground was shaking, so was the ceiling and so was the things on my desk....In my mind I was feeling like old Fred Sandford feeling like this was the big one...

I started receiveing tweets, FB messages, text messages and phone calls because what I was feeling was not the wind but was actually after shocks and tremors from a 6.0 Earthquake that started in Virginia. From what I hear from my network of friends is that it was felt from North Carolina to NYC down to PA and even further than that...All I can IS scary...

In Washington there were even news crews taping an event and when the felt the tremors; were seen dropping their cameras and running for cover fearing another Sept 11 type of situation. Luckily it was not, but for now, I guess the ground isn't the only thing a little shook up from the situation.

WASHINGTON, DC just reported that a 5.9 magnitude earthquake centered northwest of Richmond, Va., shook much of Washington, D.C., and was felt as far north as Rhode Island and New York City.

The quake sent hundreds of people spilling into the street a block from the White House, with other buildings evacuated in North Carolina and tremors felt as far away as New York City.

Made me really think about the folks all over the world that suffered from something so much more serious than this...My heart goes out to them all!

**Also I am finding that anyone with T-Mobile service may not be able to reached as the tremors may have affected ground connections etc...not sure but the people that I know with T-Mobile are unable to be contacted...Crazy day!!! Did you feel it? Where are you located? Hope it didn't affect any of you too severily, take care folks!

Malik Crichlow
BROKER/OWNER , CDPE, SFR
GoodBuy Homes NJ Realty
1811 Springfield Avenue Suite 2

Maplewood, NJ 07040
Office: 973.762.4662

Direct: 347.538.6864
Fax: 973.843.0277

Info@Goodbuyhomesnj.com
GO TEAM GREEN!!!

If you don't plan your Schedule then someone else will!

Thu, 18 Aug 2011 11:01:23 -0700

Now that the Summer is coming to a closure and the school bells are getting ready to ring for the 2011-2012 School year, many of us (hopefully all of us) are preparing for the final quarter of the year in hopes of going out with a

If you follow any of my blogs or even read my last post I spoke of how I treat September as my revised New Year and Jan 1st as my mid year evaluation period so I wanted to add a little something to the topic for the good folks of AR.

Many Professionals fall into a and find themselves falling victim to unexpected phone calls and emails thus making it difficult to get into a proper work flow so the most important things seem to fall through the cracks. If you know anything about the 80/20 Rule; its basically a way of viewing what's productive and focusing on those things and not ALL the other stuff. here is a quick definition of the rule:

The Pareto principle (also known as the 80-20 rule, the law of the vital few, and the principle of factor sparsity) states that, for many events, roughly 80% of the effects come from 20% of the causes. It is a common rule of thumb in business; e.g., "80% of your sales come from 20% of your clients", so out of a 100% of our task as Agents only 20% of what we do (dollar producing activities) will create 80% of what we earn. So I guess we better make that 20% work!

Anyways many of us are overworked and underpaid and find ourselves overwhelmed with paperwork and instead of generating new business we are becoming professional Firefighters; because all we're doing is putting out fires all over the place and not actually making money. I would admit that Social Media and the technology of the Smart Phone has us all working longer hours and creating a situation where we are like Doctors who are always on callTell the truth; have you ever scheduled an action pack day of events and been hit by a "FIRE" with one particular house or client that needed to be taken care of right away so basically the whole day got pushed back and in reality nothing got done?

THIS HAS TO STOP! THIS HAS TO STOP! THIS HAS TO STOP!

Did I mention, This has to stop! there will not be a day when your phone won't ring with something that appears to be more important than your current schedule so you have to remember if you don't plan your schedule someone else will. Clients calls and emails will come and everything will seem like it must be done right now, but you have to make a schedule and try your best to stick to it. No matter what anyone says, it can wait!

Here's what my day looks like typically:

I generally lead generate from 9-10:30am daily (email prospects, follow up to Internet leads, call back referrals etc...)
I have my assistant check my emails & voice messages so I can review after Lead Gen time is complete.
At 10:30am I review those messages and see if any require a quick phone call or brief response (usually about a half hour)
From 11am - 1pm my only focus is my current Under Contract files; I go through each one to make sure that all is being done to ensure that we close by the scheduled date (during these 2 hours no calls and no emails)
By 1pm, its Lunch Time! you have to take time to give your body what it needs to keep going. So I am not eating while working, I am just eating and enjoying my meal and maybe chatting with my Team.
Lunch usually ends at around 1:45pm so I take the remaining time (usually about 15 min) to review any new emails or phone messages.

By 2pm I have already did some lead gen, worked on all my pending transactions and ate a good meal, this way if I have to show any houses to buyers I have the afternoon to do it. I also try my best to schedule Home inspections and Appraisals for the afternoon because sometimes those things can run longer than expected and I can't afford to get caught up and allow someone else to plan my schedule.

Most Agents day don't go as calculated and it goes something like the following;

Arrive at the office at 10:30am (because that lint behind the washing machine made you so angry that you had to deal with it today.
You meant to take all those incomplete contracts out the back seat of your car but that text that just came in is too urgent for your do that right now.
By 11am you get to the office and your ready to lead generate but then you get a phone call to show a house; so you hop in your car and run to go show it.
Buyer was 35 minutes late so you get back to your office by 1pm
You attempt to follow up with a lead or two but that listing you was supposed to be entered into the MLS along with those piles of papers on your desk has you spinning your wheels not to mention; you just remembered that you have to open the door for the appraiser in 15 minutes across town...(talk about bad timing)
Around 3pm you eat a kit kat and drink a sprite because you don't have time for lunch today (just too busy today; I suppose)
Your cell phone keeps ringing and buzzing and interrupting your flow because you keep answering it because you have convinced yourself that "if you miss a call, then you a miss a check" I disagree with that thought...
Finally you get home after meeting a seller to discuss a price reduction (which seems to drain you of all your energy) then your out to 8pm to showing houses to that real picky buyer.
Only to reach home by 8:45pm to a mountain of voice messages and emails that you fall asleep by the PC trying to get too...(Talk about not having a life)
You are in your shower at 11pm thinking about all the things that you were supposed to do today that you will now do tomorrow along with the scheduled events for tomorrow...(can you say there's not enough hours in the day) and let me be clear; the great Mo Anderson once said " Never take a client in the shower with you" I personally live by that one.

This is not the way Real Estate should be done...we all need a little more structure. Being in a commission based field many people think that we are just desperate for a check (if you are, please don't let everyone know it) they also feel that we are a taxi service and with your excellent customer service skills you have somehow convinced each one of your clients that you are waiting by the phone for them to call, so when they finally call you are ready to jump up and go! not a good idea...

My suggestion would be to work on a winning routine, don't forget to eat because without fuel (and sleep) our body's can't function properly, Utilize your outlook or smart phone calendars to stay organized, add lead gen and message checking into your schedule and plan your day; don't allow your clients, the FedEx man or that annoying lint behind the washing machine to stop you from treating your Real Estate career like a business and lastly get an assistant, even you make it performance based position; at least you have help that knows that when you get paid they get paid.

Remember If you view yourself like a mini corporation then you will understand that corporate structure is the key to running a successful operation. If you allow yourself to be a human pinata don't be angry when everyone takes a swing at you and if you allow someone else to be able to dictate what you will be doing in the next hour, chances are what you will be doing will be for them and not you...Think about it! A BIG part of being a professional is knowing how to stay organized, focused and efficient with your business. Remember no one likes a messy REALTOR that is all over the place, get focused people! so like the title says; "if you don't plan your schedule then someone else will"

Malik Crichlow
BROKER/OWNER , CDPE, SFR
GoodBuy Homes NJ Realty
1811 Springfield Avenue Suite 2

Maplewood, NJ 07040
Office: 973.762.4662

Direct: 347.538.6864
Fax: 973.843.0277

Info@Goodbuyhomesnj.com
GO TEAM GREEN!!!

Why I treat September like the first New Year!

Tue, 16 Aug 2011 16:26:16 -0700

Why I treat September like the first New Year!

We all know that December 31 at 11:59pm embarks on what will be the New Year and it often comes with tons of promises and an extra level of pressure to make changes, but often times we all fall short of our plans, resolutions and expectations. But its funny because I treat September as my first New Year and Dec 31st as my pre-spring/summer charge; so I have figured out my way to avoid those pitfalls.

]I'll explain more in a few...

Now not just because I was born in September, (shout out to the Virgos) am I trying to glorify the month as anything more than the 9th month of the calender year but I want everyone to understand what I mean by making September the first part of the New Year. Now for me September represents a fresh start...sort of like a new beginning. A lot of agents tend to not carry the same energy into the last quarter because some would say; its supposed to be the "slow selling season", but if you ask me I do most of my biggest sales in the final quarter of the year. In 2010 from September to December I sold 21 houses...now if that is slow....just call me the

you silly little hare's...

For some of us that vacation a lot in the hot summer months of June-August; September is the point where you begin to feel like its time to get serious again and get prepared to get back to work!

. If you worked all summer like most Real Estate Agents do; then you are starting to slow up from what was hopefully some hot selling months and preparing your next chapter; starting in September to avoid a break in those good commission checks (let's not forget Christmas is right around the corner). (it's time to focus)

For others it is the time when all my parents can now send the kids away and finally get some breathing room from the kids being all over the house...

(back to school...Bitter Sweet isn't it)

Now all jokes aside; September is a great month to start preparing for the final quarter of the year and also to re-energize yourself and your team to rev up the marketing and try and secure contracts on those listings so that you don't carry them into the new year.

Here are some things that we do in September, so you can see why I view it as the first New Year:

We take a close look at our current inventory and if needed we create new marketing strategies and reposition list prices to ensure we get it sold before the year concludes.
We Contact clients that may have been on the fence and connect with them in hopes of preparing them to be home buyers over the next few months as prices tend to drop in the cooler months.
Conduct a Fall cleaning (which is a MUST) We go through all of our office files (you know the ones sitting on your desk or desktop right now) and reorganize them so that we are in order and in place.
We contact our "current, on the fence and dead" leads and look to breathe new life into them so we can generate some more business.
We Organize our database and see who is who and what is what; the next few weeks are vital because if you average 60-90 days to close a equity sale and 120 days for a short sale; the cut off time for these homes to go under contract is shrinking quickly.
We schedule a Big Office meeting, this is the time to remind everyone not to pack up and start hibernating for the winter, but gear up and start preparing to sell, sell sell in the fall!
Go over our checkbooks; the summer tends to breed some bad spending habits, so make sure your books are balanced so you know where you stand.
Plan those vacations for next year now! put them on your schedule and even go as far as checking pricing, it may be much cheaper if you book over the next month or two rather than waiting to the month of the trip (think about it)
Latly because September is the best month silly...shameless plug for all of my Virgos out there. I celebrate a birthday and so does my mother so I love the month personally.

Like I said September can be many things to many people, but for me its the first new year, so when Dec 31st rolls around; I don't find myself with a long unachievable list of things to accomplish because I am already half way there. I am posting now because September is 2 weeks away and we are preparing for our first new year from right now...maybe it may help your business to do the same.

Courtesy of your GOOD friends at GOODBuy Homes NJ Realty

Malik Crichlow
BROKER/OWNER , CDPE, SFR
GoodBuy Homes NJ Realty
1811 Springfield Avenue Suite 2

Maplewood, NJ 07040
Office: 973.762.4662

Direct: 347.538.6864
Fax: 973.843.0277

Info@Goodbuyhomesnj.com
GO TEAM GREEN!!!

Attention New Jersey Home Owners: if you need a handy man for quick home fixes, I got your man!

Wed, 10 Aug 2011 09:36:06 -0700

As a New Jersey Real Estate professional I often meet some people that are as passionate as I am in the pursuit of helping home owners. As a Real Estate Broker I work on the financial side helping home owners buy,sell and rent homes but once their all moved in my job is pretty much done; that is why I have decided to write a post for all my Realtors and Home owners who need a reliable handy man. I met this guy around 4 years ago and whenever an unexpected issue comes up just before closing (which it also does) I call Terry "aka" "The Super" for help, whenever my clients call me because of a household problem, I call The Super. A lot of times he will complete the work and wait till the house closes to get paid, you just can't beat that!!!

So I figured the folks in my area may need a little help too, so I decided to share. Check out one of his marketing ads below. If you do decide to contact the Super, tell him Malik sent you!

See his ad below:

Do you need a handy man to help with some common household problems? Well contact Terry "The Super" Means for all your household needs. No job too big or small; The Super can help with carpentry work, electrical, plumbing, TV Wall mount install, flooring, sheetrock and so much more. If you need a reliable, dependable and affordable handyman...Contact the Super!!

Outlet repair, install new switches, install ceiling fans, set up outlets for your new flat screen, you name it...we fix it!

Leaky faucets, replace or repair toilets, stoppage, boiler repair, water heaters...got water problems? contact the Super!

Contact the Super for all your household needs including:

-Fixing broken windows
-Installing new windows, doors, and shelves
-Installing shades and drapes
-Fixing screen doors and windows
-Replacing door locks
-Carpentry
-Fixing or replacing banisters
-Spackling and sheetrock work
-Patching roofs
-Cleaning gutters
-Different types of concrete work
-Pressure washing decks and concrete
-Installing mailboxes on posts
-Hanging pictures and mirrors

And so much more...Dont get trying to DIY your way through electric problems and stop living with that annoying and call the Super for all your plumbing needs.

EMAIL "THE SUPER" RIGHT NOW FOR A FREE QUOTE

NO JOB TO BIG OR SMALL!!!

EMAIL THE SUPER @ Terrythesuper@gmail.com for a free quote today!

LOW PRICES GUARANTEED!!!!!!

Malik Crichlow
BROKER/OWNER , CDPE, SFR
GoodBuy Homes NJ Realty
1811 Springfield Avenue Suite 2

Maplewood, NJ 07040
Office: 973.762.4662

Direct: 347.538.6864
Fax: 973.843.0277

Info@Goodbuyhomesnj.com
GO TEAM GREEN!!!

Mr. & Mrs. Seller I think you better reconsider this first offer, because it may be your last!

Sat, 30 Jul 2011 15:14:15 -0700

This Topsy Turvy Real Estate Market has quickly turned the sweet times of 2005 into the dark days of the present for Real Estate Agents and Sellers trying to sell homes. It seems like practically overnight we became a buyers Market and now Sellers find themselves trying to survive in a world where the Buyers Rule!

So I listed a house a few months ago. I priced it right, ran a couple Open Houses and things were looking promising. After 90 days on the market we received an offer...HAPPY, HAPPY JOY, JOY, HAPPY, HAPPY JOY, JOY (please pardon the happy dance) it was not quite our asking price; but a good start if we negotiate a little. So I present the offer to my Sellers and they immediately get upset because it is not a full price offer (or at least closer. I heard everything in the book from ("How much?" "We're already selling at a discount", "but this is the best house on the block", "are they crazy?") and the list goes on and on...

So after all of that I explained to my clients that I think they better reconsider this first offer; because it may be their last! They continued to go back and forth with me as I continued to stress how important it is to counter, if their not happy with the initial offer, but don't just decline that offer because it could be the last. They explained to me that they refuse to accept an offer that is that low and rather not counter... As their Broker I had no choice but to comply.

The cooperating Agent was in shock and told me that her clients will just continue their search, because my client is NOT motivated (ouch) that hurt to hear but I knew it was the truth.

The sad part about it, it's now been 90 more days and we have had two price reductions and still don't have any offers. What's worse is our latest reduction is lower than the initial offer, so we would of been better off selling 3 months.

A few days ago Mrs. Seller contacted me and let me know that her Husband recently lost his job and now they just NEED to sell fast. After a long discussion with these sellers I discovered that if we reduce again they will go from stubborn Sellers to Distressed home owners. A few months ago they did not WANT to work with what was on the table and now they NEED to sell.

I now have no choice but to reduce and now market the property as a "Short Sale" that is subject to lender approval. As their Broker I am equipped to handle the sale regardless; but it's sad that they did not listen to my advice as their Realtor and at least consider that initial offer because all of this could have possibly been avoided.

The moral of the story is; Sellers need to always consider that first offer, because it may be their last!

TRUST YOUR REALTOR, THEY ARE THERE TO HELP, ADVISE AND GUIDE YOU TO A SUCCESSFUL TRANSACTION, WE ARE THE HELPINGS HANDS YOU NEED.

Malik Crichlow
BROKER/OWNER , CDPE, SFR
GoodBuy Homes NJ Realty
1811 Springfield Avenue Suite 2

Maplewood, NJ 07040
Office: 973.762.4662

Direct: 347.538.6864
Fax: 973.843.0277

Info@Goodbuyhomesnj.com
GO TEAM GREEN!!!

I love Reading! Have you read any GOOD books lately? here are some suggestions

Thu, 28 Jul 2011 11:34:37 -0700

As Real Estate Professionals and Human Beings we all need "pick me ups" from time to time...I know with the way the Real Estate market has been over the past few years we all wish we could just hit the button and make everything "easy" again...

Well unfortunately it's not that easy...so I felt the need to provide some books that may help generate some motivation and some inspiration to help get through the tough times.

Now that we are in the Internet age

a lot of people have forgot that sometimes a good book (whether you prefer paperback or a kindle/nook) can take you away and sometimes help you channel energy, reorganize thoughts or even tighten your focus.

Of course there are thousands of books you can read, but these are some of my favorites. (these are in no special order of importance)

Great book for RE Agents during this tough Real Estate Market

SHIFT: How Top Real Estate Agents Tackle Tough Times
(PAPERBACK) (Millionaire Real Estate)

Great book for learning how to work with people (which we all do).

How To Win Friends And Influence People, Revised
Edition

Great book to truly understand the mindset of money.

Rich Dad, Poor Dad: What the Rich Teach Their Kids
About Money--That the Poor and the Middle Class Do Not!

The title says it all! Dream Big, Act Big, Live Big!

The Magic of Thinking

For all those who are working 80hrs a week...there's a better way!

The 4-Hour Workweek

These are just a few suggestions; I think a good book can help take you to places and in some cases; bring you back to where you need to be, so I figured I'd share some of the books I enjoy reading that helps me get going if I need a boost. If you need a good read, check out some of these, they are all available on http://www.amazon.com/ and I recommend you buy a used copy because its much cheaper and usually in pretty good shape.

A message to the good folks of the AR Community, be inspired, work both Harder and Smarter and if you need a little boost, try a good book!

HAPPY READING!!!

by the way...I know there's another place you can get a GOOD read... you can always check out my AR blog....Check out some of my post and click that subscribe here button for all your Real Estate info, News and my twisted views on everything. I guarantee you won't be disappointed....Check out my blog and Subscribe by CLICKING HERE

If anyone has any suggestions feel free to leave a comment, it will be greatly appreciated!

Malik Crichlow
BROKER/OWNER , CDPE, SFR
GoodBuy Homes NJ Realty
1811 Springfield Avenue Suite 2

Maplewood, NJ 07040
Office: 973.762.4662

Direct: 347.538.6864
Fax: 973.843.0277

Info@Goodbuyhomesnj.com
GO TEAM GREEN!!!

What happens when the unrealistic Seller is a REALTOR®?

Wed, 27 Jul 2011 10:10:49 -0700

As a New Jersey Real Estate Broker, showing properties are apart of my daily routine. Between previewing houses two times a week and working with excited house hunters; I am usually in about 10-20 homes per week.

Now the other day I was going through some homes in my area to show a buyer and came across a particular listing and was quite shocked at what I saw; first off Problem #1: there was only 6 pictures (not bad, I prefer about 15 + but hey that's me) but the problem was it was the same photo 6 times, Problem #2: there was hardly any info filled out in the listing, Problem #3 : it was seriously over priced (by about 50k), Problem #4: the showing instructions are very, very limited (M-F 2-4PM, no weekends) Problem #5: the commission was 2% - $300 (ouch) now OK, I get it we all handle listings the way we want to right? but here's the problem...the owner of the listing is also a licensed Real Estate Agent.

Now I would think that a Real Estate Agent would understand how to market a listing especially his own, but maybe I am wrong. Lets see Its overpriced, has only one real picture, the listing is not filled out completely and the commission is almost an insult. How does this happen? is that he is a bad Agent? does he apply these same practices to his clients listings? (I hope not)

Maybe this Agent has become an unrealistic Seller and forgot all the information that Real Estate Agents have in their tool belts to sell houses and has now has become just as bad.

I would expect a Real Estate Agent to handle the selling of their own better than this but hey after being on the market for 260 days you would think he would have added some more pics, finished filling out the specs, lowered the price and made it easier to show but hey maybe I am the crazy one...Any thoughts?

Malik Crichlow
BROKER/OWNER , CDPE, SFR
GoodBuy Homes NJ Realty
1811 Springfield Avenue Suite 2

Maplewood, NJ 07040
Office: 973.762.4662

Direct: 347.538.6864
Fax: 973.843.0277

Info@Goodbuyhomesnj.com
GO TEAM GREEN!!!

In Newark, NJ if you leave your property Abandoned, be prepared to pay!

Wed, 20 Jul 2011 10:04:27 -0700

The city of Newark has finally figured out a way to slow down the amount of abandoned properties within the city; charge home owners a fine for those actions.

Take a look at these pictures,

Abandoned houses now sit on almost every block of what is New Jersey's largest City and officials have simply had enough. Overgrown weeds, debris and in some cases active signs of drug and alcohol abuse can be found on a daily basis. These Abandoned and neglected properties have the potential to become public safety and health hazards and are bringing property values down across the city. And now, Newark officials are going after their owners with a $500 registration fee and fines as much as $1,000 for each violation if they don’t comply. These fines may force home owners to maintain some order on their properties and hopefully have a positive outcome on the community.

Newark’s Director of Housing and Real Estate says the city has almost 1,500 vacant residential properties. Michael Meyer says the foreclosure crisis hit the city hard.

“We have seen that the number of properties owned by banks themselves has increased substantially, 40 to 50 percent over the last two to three years. Currently, there’s estimated to be about 800 to 900 bank-owned properties across the city.”

As a New Jersey Broker who is working with many city officials & home owners to tackle this problem head on; I feel this is a positive step in the right direction of what needs to happen for Newark to become one of NJ's most desired places to live. The question remains will they be able to actually find the home owners and create a way to enforce the fines, because if they can't it will just be a waste of man hours handing out fines and wasting paperwork because no one will pay and the problem will continue to grow.

Another way to fight this head on is to take preventative measures and stop home owners from Foreclosing on their homes and help them find alternative options to what has become a growing problem nationwide. If you or someone you know is in need of help, please contact us today!

To be continued...

Malik Crichlow
BROKER/OWNER , CDPE, SFR
GoodBuy Homes NJ Realty
1811 Springfield Avenue Suite 2

Maplewood, NJ 07040
Office: 973.762.4662

Direct: 347.538.6864
Fax: 973.843.0277

Info@Goodbuyhomesnj.com
GO TEAM GREEN!!!

Maplewood/South Orange & Union NJ Home Owners don't just walk away from your home...

Mon, 18 Jul 2011 13:09:12 -0700

During this shift in the Real Estate Market a lot of home owners have made some of the toughest decisions that we all dread deep down inside... The decision of when it's time to cut your ties and walk away from your home.

Of course there's plenty of content available online and tons of Realtors that are leading the way in the fight against Home foreclosures. But still with all of this info available, a lot of Home Owners still don't know what to do. Truth is; once your in default, the bank is calling daily, there sending certified letters with all kinds of threatening messages, not to mention strange people (BPO agents) taking pictures of their home while neighbors look on...

Some are fortunate and contact Agents like the GOOD folks of GoodBuy Homes NJ Realty (shameless plug), while others find themselves in a position where they don't know where to turn and they consider the path of just moving out and leaving the house vacant. To those home owners that are contemplating that decision; I urge you to inquire with Real Estate Professionals in your area about Foreclosure Avoidance options such as Sale, Short Sale, Deed in Lieu, Refinancing; just to name a few, but please just don't walk away...

In New Jersey and I am sure in most other areas throughout the county; vacant homes are a problem in more ways than one, they bring down area values, they become a serious eye sore In the neighborhood and now more than ever they are targeted by criminals and eventually broken into for it's content. Now if you need more reasons than the fact that a Foreclosure could be one the most devastating events to ever hit you and your family, Here is Katherine's story...

Katherine bought her home about 6 years ago, it was the height of the market and work was going well. Unfortunately despite having a great career and a loving marriage she has a very sickly child at home and due to complications with one of her child's surgeries she was forced to resign so that she could be the primary caregiver to her child (which we all understand), sad part about that is 4 months later her Husband was laid off by his firm and they quickly went from one income to no income. She quickly found herself behind on almost every credit card, car loan as well as the mortgage and didn't know what to do. She contacted her lender who said since she's in default she couldn't refinance or Modify her loan and once the other creditors got news of the recent late's, all of her credit card companies started to reduce her spending limits thus leaving her with a lack of extra spending cash and most importantly credit. She was now 7 months behind and didn't know what to do, the letters kept coming and she panicked and made the decision to just walk away...Her family moved out in the middle of the night to avoid any embarrassment. You see she was unaware of her options and did not understand the Foreclosure Laws in NJ and did not know that there was still time to get help.

After about a week of the house being vacant vandals broke into the house and stripped it of all the copper plumbing, boilers, hot water tank, the central air units, cabinets, damaged walls and took light fixtures, toilets and sinks...They basically destroyed the place. By this point Katherine has not made a mortgage payment in almost 14 months and is now behind on her taxes and home owners insurance, she officially hit rock bottom. The house now sits, boarded and broken and just a shell of what it used to be... Katherine told me that when she first saw her homes condition; it literally broke her heart to see what she had worked so hard for be destroyed in just a matter of days...

The reason I can tell you this story is because I was the BPO Agent taking those pictures over the past few months and when I finally got a chance to do an interior BPO and speak with the home owners, she told me this horrible story. I saw first hand how a house can go from 275k to 210k in a matter of months and now will likely sell for much less as an REO.

This does not have to happen to distressed property owners anymore; there is help available...Just don't be too caught up in the moment to look for it! Home Owners MUST understand that banks do not want you to move out of your home because you are in default, statistics show that homes that are well maintained by home owners during the process of a sale (even a short sale) are more desired by potential buyers and it also allows the area to maintain its safety and help Banks and Home Owners avoid what is an even larger problem of a vandalized home.

Quick Update: Katherine has a lot of issues with her family and wanted the quickest possible route, I spoke to her lender and was able to connect her to her lender and she has set up a DIL (Deed in Lieu) as her fastest option to avoid foreclosure. I prefer the Short Sale route personally, but in the end I am happy that we were there to help. Remember folks you are not Alone.. and like the old saying goes;"A closed mouth don't get fed!"

Malik Crichlow
BROKER/OWNER , CDPE, SFR
GoodBuy Homes NJ Realty
1811 Springfield Avenue Suite 2

Maplewood, NJ 07040
Office: 973.762.4662

Direct: 347.538.6864
Fax: 973.843.0277

Info@Goodbuyhomesnj.com
GO TEAM GREEN!!!

Maplewood/South Orange Home Owners Facing Foreclosure, we can help!

Sat, 16 Jul 2011 08:48:11 -0700

As an active member in the Maplewood/South Orange community; I have to admit that I love these towns, I live here, enjoy its parks and restaurants and I also have my Real Estate Office in town (GoodBuy Homes NJ Realty), so of course as a Broker in the area I often check market trends & sales as a way to stay on top of my market. Over the past 6 months have seen an alarming trend of more foreclosure & pre-foreclosure properties entering the market and the site is quite scary. Many homeowners just don't know where to turn.

I just reviewed the pending Auction Sales for the Towns of Maplewood/South Orange and we have approx. 40+ homes pending sheriff sale as of today and that number continues to grow. These numbers are alarming to us because we pride ourselves on helping the residents of our area by providing home buyers/sellers seminars, blogging, not to mention our informational websites and of course face to face consultations with home owners in need; but these numbers makes me feel like we are not doing enough.

For anyone out there in cyber space that are unsure about how a Short Sale can help them avoid foreclosure; here's a quick recap of what it is and how it works.

Short Sale

If a homeowner owes more on their property than it is currently worth, then they can hire a qualified real estate agent to market and sell their property through the negotiation of a short sale with their lender. This typically requires the property to be on the market and the homeowner must have a financial hardship in order to qualify. Hardship can be simply be defined as a material change in the financial stability of the homeowner between the date of the home purchase and the date of the short sale negotiation. Acceptable hardships include but are not limited to: mortgage payment increase, job loss, divorce, excessive debt, forced or unplanned relocation, just to name a few.

· Benefit: A short sale allows the homeowner to avoid foreclosure and salvage some of their credit rating. This also keeps foreclosure off the individual’s public record, and in many cases will allow the homeowner to avoid a deficiency judgment (repayment of the balance of approved sales price and balance owed). The Borrower may qualify for another mortgage in as little as 24-36 months (as opposed to five-seven years for a foreclosure) and also avoid the 10 years that the Foreclosure will be on the credit profile of the borrower.

· Drawback: Short sales can be a trying process in which a homeowner is best served by contracting with a qualified real estate agent to guide the way. Trying to attempt a short sale without proper guidance can be a daunting task and much help is needed in order to get through the red tape that most lenders have set in place.

This represents only a summary of a short sale; keep in mind there are other solutions available to homeowners facing foreclosure. What is sad about most foreclosures is that on average 60% of home owners foreclose because they did not have enough information regarding their options. We want to change that, one home owner at a time. No one can guarantee a 100% success rate when attempting a short sale, but if you simply avoid the issue you are a 100% guaranteed that the bank will eventually foreclose.

The State of New Jersey has some of the toughest Foreclosure proceedings in the United States so you may still have time left on the clock

Don't waste it listen to friends and co workers, contact us for a free consultation to discuss your options so that we can formulate a game plan to help you avoid Foreclosure.

The towns of Maplewood/South Orange & surrounding towns are great places to live;

they features good schools, tons of entertainment, outdoor excitement and most of all great people. Unfortunately these town are not immune to the decline of the Real Estate market and home owners in these areas as well as surrounding towns need to know that help is available in the event a Foreclosure is looming. contact us today. We understand how hard it is to come to the realization that you cannot make your monthly mortgage payments, but it's not the end of the world, we want you to know that you are not alone and we are here to help!

Malik Crichlow
BROKER/OWNER , CDPE, SFR
GoodBuy Homes NJ Realty
1811 Springfield Avenue Suite 2

Maplewood, NJ 07040
Office: 973.762.4662

Direct: 347.538.6864
Fax: 973.843.0277

Info@Goodbuyhomesnj.com
GO TEAM GREEN!!!