Seriously ... Can you still be a KID at times ????? - 05/31/09 10:06 AM
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It has been a pretty fast paced month or so for me and many other Realtors and Mortgage Professionals that I have spoken to recently.

 
 
I have been working crazy hours, had showings almost every day, home inspections, C/O inspections (and re-inspections !), open houses, I even had rental showings, which can be draining at the best of times - oh and a number of closings sprinkled in too !
 
 
But in addition to my personal scheduling challenges, I heard from 2 friends of mine who lost their jobs, and 3 others who have recently encountered some unexpected health issues … (91 comments)

$8,000 FIRST TIME BUYER TAX CREDIT - CHECK RECEIVED !!!! - 05/30/09 07:30 AM
 
 
 
This is an actual check from one of my First Time Buyers who bought a home last month, and immediately filed his 2008 tax return - which he had already filed an extension for - and this week received the above check !
 
... before his home purchase, his return was going to give him a refund of approximately $4,000 !!!! ... as you can see, he qualified for the tax credit, and received $8,000 additional dollars from the government for buying his home.
 
@@@ FOR FURTHER INFORMATION - BE SURE TO CONSULT YOUR ACCOUNTANT TO SEE IF YOU CAN RECEIVE THIS … (140 comments)

Planning a 'STAYCATION' this summer ??? - 05/28/09 08:23 AM
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With the economy and financial fears still weighing heavy on many people's minds thoroughout the country, many people are choosing to forego the costly flights and travel costs for Summer Vacations, in favor of a 'Staycation' - or stay-at-home-vacation.
Now this is not just spending time in your living room and not going to work, a 'Staycation' typically sees people making their very own backyards into their own private summer 'resorts' !
 



Pools, patios, barbecues, buying extra outdoor games, backyard audio setups, even outdoor TV and Movie setups are becoming more popular - and although some … (32 comments)

My Son's Memorial Morning - 05/25/09 10:42 AM
We live in a neighborhood that has a private park.
Each year the town Fire Department, Police Department, and Ambulance Volunteers perform a Memorial Day Celebration.
Today I asked my 3yr old son Spencer if he wanted to join me to walk to the park and see the celebration - I told him there would be big fire trucks, and lots of flags, and he happily said 'yes Daddy let me get my shoes' !
We attended the ceremony - we stayed quiet, and I whispered to him what was going on, and why I took my hat off for the prayers.
… (54 comments)

Maywood NJ Homes | April 2009 Activity Report - 05/25/09 09:56 AM
April '09 Activity SNAPSHOT - Maywood, NJ Homes Sold: 10(April 2008 saw 6 Sold )
Sold Price Range: $225,000 - $485,000(April 2008 Range: $309,000 - $450,000)
List Price Range: $260,900 - $569,000(April 2008 List Range: $409,000 - $529,000)
Styles: 2-Col, 3-CC, 2-RCH, 1-Dup, 2-2Fam(April 2008 Styles: 5-CC, 1-Col)
 
The SOLD activity this April compared with last year was up from last year. The current inventory is higher than usual and the prices have dropped an average of 6% - making the current list prices considerably lower than a year ago - and subsequently more attractive for buyers looking to move to the great … (2 comments)

Paramus NJ Homes | April 2009 Activity Report - 05/25/09 09:56 AM
April '09 Activity SNAPSHOT - Paramus, NJ  
Homes Sold: 16(April 2008 also saw 13 Sold)
Sold Price Range: $400,000 - $1,160,000(April 2008 Range: $425,000 - $925,000)
List Price Range: $429,000 - $1,250,000(April 2008 List Range: $449,000 - $1,049,000)
Styles: 5-RCH, 2-CC, 5-S/L, 3-COL, 1-B/L(Apr '08: 5-Rch, 4-CC, 4-COL)
 
Even with the downturn in sales across the country, Paramus has held pretty steady, selling almost the same number of homes in '09 as it did in '08. Even difference is in the list and sales prices, was pretty similar.
As of 5/18/09 at 9pm, there are 149 residential homes for sale in Paramus. Their prices … (0 comments)

Hackensack NJ Homes | April 2009 Activity Report - 05/25/09 09:56 AM


April '09 Activity SNAPSHOT - Hackensack, NJ



Homes Sold: 18(April 2008 saw 19 residential units Sold !)


Sold Price Range: $170,000 - $323,000(April 2008 Range: $165,900- $382,000)
List Price Range: $199,900- $429,000(April 2008 List Range: $169,000 - $409,000)
Styles:  3-RCH, 3-Col, 12-Cndo(April 2008 Styles: 1-CC, 2-TWN, 2-Col, 14-Cndo) 
 
April year over year stats are very similar to last year, except the inventory is up from last year. This is clearly a factor of the continued slow down in market activity, and Hackensack has been hit worse than almost every surrounding town with this increasing inventory.
As … (0 comments)

Using First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credits for the Downpayment - It's GONE !!!! - The story of the $8,000 tax credit - 05/14/09 01:08 PM
Well Folks - HUD giveth, and HUD taketh away
It seems that as of right now, HUD has pulled the ability to use the $8K credit for a downpmt, and those who have used it for this purpose to this point, may just have been the lucky ones.
Fortunately, we have partners on A|R like Jeff Belonger who was able to get to the bottom of today's developments on this subject.
Hopefully this program - or something similar - will be available soon for those First Time Buyers who could really use it.
Thanks to Jeff for his diligent research, … (35 comments)

$8,000 First Time Buyer Tax Credit NOW ?? ... here are the GUIDELINES of how my contact GOT IT LAST WEEK ! @@@ UPDATED 5/14/09 ! @@@ - 05/13/09 08:16 PM
@@@ As of today there is still much confusion over this program, so much so that HUD has actually rescinded its statements of the usage as a downpayment advance ! It may be a temporary hold, while they work out the finer points, but unfortunately, as of now it doesnt seem to be available in the way they announced it just 2 days ago. Below is an example of someone who was able to use this option, but again it seems as if it may be on hold - hopefully temporarily ! Please read Jeff Belongers post on the latest conversation … (61 comments)

Managing Your Listings - Tip #79 ! - 05/02/09 07:45 PM
Here's a handy tip if you have some listings in your inventory right now !

Dont get caught answering a call from a potential buyer who has questions about your listing, and you not having the answer !
 
eg: Caller 1: "Yes Hi, I saw your listing on Appletree Lane online, but can you tell me the exact taxes and the Monthly Maintenance Fees ?"
Caller 2: "Hello, can you tell me the lot size of the listing at 666 Diablo Court ? ... and also what year was it was built ? oh and while you're at it, is … (44 comments)

Dont Like Working with First Time Buyers ?? ... you may want to rethink that ! - 05/01/09 09:22 AM
We are all looking for more positive news about the Housing Market, and although a turnaround and return to a more normal market condition is not likely anytime soon, there are signs that we may have hit the bottom, and that better days may be ahead !
As a Realtor, we clearly want to be positioned to make the most of the opportunities available to us - and this month, NAR came out with a report that, of all the homes sold throughout the country in the month of March ...
... 50% involved purchases by FIRST TIME BUYERS !!!!!!
… (48 comments)

 

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