Team Zuhl

Free home warranty!

Wayne and Jean Marie Zuhl (Hallmark Realtors) — Thu, 23 May 2013 03:37:42 -0700

Buying a home can be scary. What if the hot water heater stops working three days after you close, or what if the roof starts leaking with the first big rain?

More and more sellers are offering a home warranty with the purchase of their home as an incentive to lure buyers and to help give the buyers some feeling of security. A home warranty will cover the cost of any repair to any major system in the house - heating, cooling, plumbing, and electrical. The 2012 National Association of Realtors Profile of Buyers and Sellers reports that nearly one fourth of home sellers who use incentives offer warranties.

As part of the full service offered by TeamZuhl, we're now offering free home warranties on the homes we have listed with full service contracts. Not only does this provide some sense of security, for the buyers, but the sellers also feel secure knowing that any problems that arise after they sell the house won't be their problems.

If you're thinking of selling your home, call us today and ask about home warranties!

~ Wayne & Jean

Union County, NJ - a great place to live and work!

If you're looking to buy or sell a property in Union County, call us at 908-917-4189 or email TeamZuhl@gmail.com.

Check us out on Facebook at Real Estate Today and Things to Do in Union County! Follow us on Pinterest and Twitter.

All opinions, information and data provided is deemed reliable but is subject to errors and omissions. Not intended to solicit other Brokers' clients. We cooperate with them fully.

Easy Peasy Lemon Squeezy

Wayne and Jean Marie Zuhl (Hallmark Realtors) — Tue, 21 May 2013 03:20:57 -0700

Got lemons? Do something great around the house! Here are our favorite household uses for these tart citrus fruits:

Toss used lemons into your garbage disposal to help keep it clean and smelling fresh.
A few drops of lemon juice in outdoor house-paint will keep insects away while you are painting and until the paint dries.
Remove scratches on furniture by mixing equal parts of lemon juice and vegetable oil and rubbing it on the scratches with a soft cloth.
To clean piano keys, make a lemon juice and salt paste and wipe them. Rinse with a clean wet cloth.
To renew hardened paintbrushes, submerge them into boiling lemon juice and simmer for 15 minutes, then wash it in soapy water.
To remove dried paint from glass, apply hot lemon juice with a soft cloth. Leave until nearly dry, and then wipe off.
Rub kitchen and bathroom faucets with lemon peel. Wash and dry with a soft cloth to shine and remove spots from hard water, soap residue, or lime scale.
Create your own air freshener: Slice some lemons, cover with water, and let simmer in a pot for about an hour.
Fish or onion odor on your hands can be removed by rubbing them with fresh lemons.
Deter squirrels and cats from digging in the garden by burying citrus rinds just under the surface of the soil.
After a shampoo, rinse your hair with lemon juice and water to make it shine.
To remove rust, scrub with one tablespoon of lemon juice mixed with two tablespoons of salt.
Clean copper pots by rubbing with a paste of lemon juice and salt. Rinse with hot water, and polish dry.
Clean cutting boards with a cut lemon half. For stains, use coarse salt to help scrub.
Rub dull glassware like cloudy coffee pots or pitchers with lemon juice.
Polish brass and aluminum with a paste of lemon juice and cream of tartar.
Whiten shoes or socks by spraying them with lemon juice and placing them in the sun.
Add half of a lemon to the dishwasher and your dishes will come out sparkling and spot free.
And my favorite thing to do with lemons.....

~ Wayne & Jean

Union County, NJ - a great place to live and work!

If you're looking to buy or sell a property in Union County, call us at 908-917-4189 or email TeamZuhl@gmail.com.

Check us out on Facebook at Real Estate Today and Things to Do in Union County! Follow us on Pinterest and Twitter.

All opinions, information and data provided is deemed reliable but is subject to errors and omissions. Not intended to solicit other Brokers' clients. We cooperate with them fully.

Where NOT to hide your Jewels and Cash in the House

Wayne and Jean Marie Zuhl (Hallmark Realtors) — Mon, 20 May 2013 13:29:37 -0700

Great post for anyone thinking about selling their home.

This will tell you where it is and is not safe to keep your valuables while your home is on the market.

Via Valerie Zinger (House Proud Ottawa-Ontario-Canada):

I have been robbed twice in my lifetime,once while I was not home during the day and the other while I was sleeping. These thefts happened a long time ago. I don’t live in fear and I did learn a few good lessons. The first is that the thieves took things - money and jewelry and electronics. They also took my sense of security for a short while. Okay, the B&E while I was sleeping was just awful but the next day I had some bars on my windows and I slept like a baby. I learned that life goes on and that things can be replaced or forgotten.

Do you hide valuables in the house? I bet you are just like the rest of the populations and the answer is – Yes, you do. Okay, maybe you don’t care and nothing is hidden because you aren’t worried (or you would prefer to have the insurance money). If, however, you are hiding things, here are a few places where thieves will definitely/ absolutely/ without doubt look.

In the freezer – your cold hard cash is not well served in the freezer. It may be wrapped up as an old steak but we can all tell the difference between meat and money. Frozen into ice in your freezer – now that is cold cash and cool jewels but still not that tricky.

The proverbial hidden under the mattress – really? Yes, thieves will toss the bed.

In the medicine cabinet – it used to be that you could hide things in pill bottles but thieves want your medications so your diamonds and money will be gone.

In hollowed out books on the shelf – thieves don’t care if it is a dictionary, they are just throwing your books to the floor anyway.

Taped under the furniture or rug - in a short period of time all your furniture will likely be tipped over and voila – your secret stash of money

In an empty shoebox in the master bedroom – in fact anywhere in the master bedroom is prime search zone.

In your laundry hamper- money stealing can be a dirty business

In a safe in your office that can be taken unless bolted to the floor.

For some of my gun owning friends, your gun cabinet is a magnet.

Where is the best place to keep your valuables?

In the bank and in your safety deposit box.

If that is too inconvenient then be crafty, sneaky and very sly with where you put your things and, if you get robbed and live to tell about it, remember that they were just things and now you have a story to write for ActiveRain.

Here are the other posts I have written on home security:

Where NOT to hide your Jewels and Cash in the House

Keep Wandering Children in the House and Burglars Out

Security Cameras, Motion Sensor Triggers, Ladders and Neighbours

Talk Radio May Be Worth Your Diamonds - Home Security

Behind Curtain #1 - The Family Automobiles. Are you home?

Mr. Burglar: My key is hidden under the mat or under the flower pot



Photo credit: Untitled

Valerie Zinger valeriezinger@gmail.com

Ottawa, Canada 613-859-7759

~ Wayne & Jean

Union County, NJ - a great place to live and work!

If you're looking to buy or sell a property in Union County, call us at 908-917-4189 or email TeamZuhl@gmail.com.

Check us out on Facebook at Real Estate Today and Things to Do in Union County! Follow us on Pinterest and Twitter.

All opinions, information and data provided is deemed reliable but is subject to errors and omissions. Not intended to solicit other Brokers' clients. We cooperate with them fully.

Scotch Plains Cannon Update

Wayne and Jean Marie Zuhl (Hallmark Realtors) — Mon, 20 May 2013 07:28:08 -0700

Near the center of downtown Scotch Plains is a World War I cannon that was given to the town after WWII. The gift was a thank you for residents purchasing a minimum of $20,000 in War Bonds. The resident's of Scotch Plains generously gave more than $200,000 in support of the war effort.

So as the picture shows the cannon sits in it's glory, but something is missing.

The wheels.

Because the cannon had been sitting for so long, the wooden wheels were heavily damaged. The wheels have been shipped to an Amish wheel worker in Pennsylvania to do the restoration work.

A couple of weeks ago, I drove past the cannon, and behold! The new wheels are on it! It really looks grand!!! Don't you think?

~ Wayne & Jean

Union County, NJ - a great place to live and work!

If you're looking to buy or sell a property in Union County, call us at 908-917-4189 or email TeamZuhl@gmail.com.

Check us out on Facebook at Real Estate Today and Things to Do in Union County! Follow us on Pinterest and Twitter.

All opinions, information and data provided is deemed reliable but is subject to errors and omissions. Not intended to solicit other Brokers' clients. We cooperate with them fully.

Real Estate Market Report for Kenilworth, NJ for April, 2013

Wayne and Jean Marie Zuhl (Hallmark Realtors) — Sun, 19 May 2013 09:16:31 -0700

Kenilworth, NJ, is located in the heart of Union County and is home to nearly 8000 people.

Harding Elementary School holds students from Pre-K to sixth grade, David Brearley Middle School holds grades 7 and 8 and David Brearley High School holds students in grades 9-12 from Kenilworth and Winfield Township. Kenilworth also has St. Theresa's which is a Roman Catholic elementary school.

Sale prices of homes in Kenilworth have been on a steady increase for about a year.

Homes are selling quickly in Kenilworth with the average sale within 3 months of listing.

Inventory is up in Kenilworth. April closed out with 20% more homes on the market than March.

For more information on Kenilworth Real Estate:

Kenilworth Real Estate Market Report - January-March, 2013 - 04/20/13

How long will my Union County home be on the market? - 02/24/13

Kenilworth Real Estate Market - 2012 in Review - 01/05/13

Kenilworth Marketing Report - 02/20/12

~ Wayne & Jean

Union County, NJ - a great place to live and work!

If you're looking to buy or sell a property in Union County, call us at 908-917-4189 or email TeamZuhl@gmail.com.

Check us out on Facebook at Real Estate Today and Things to Do in Union County! Follow us on Pinterest and Twitter.

All opinions, information and data provided is deemed reliable but is subject to errors and omissions. Not intended to solicit other Brokers' clients. We cooperate with them fully.

Real Estate Market Report for Garwood, NJ for April, 2013

Wayne and Jean Marie Zuhl (Hallmark Realtors) — Sun, 19 May 2013 09:14:21 -0700

Garwood is a borough in southern Union County and is home to roughly 7000 residents. The 400 elementary students in Garwood all attend Lincoln School. Garwood high school students join Clark students at Arthur L. Johnson High School in Clark.

Inventory in Garwood was up 50% in April as compared ot March and up 100% as compared to February. Sales are up 100% since March.

Homes in Garwood are selling very quickly. Peaking at 5 months on market in March, homes are selling within a month in April.

With inventory increasing, it's not surprising that list price is decreasing. With only 1 or 2 homes sold per month, it's difficult to compare sale price accurately.

For more information on Garwood Real Estate:

Garwood Real Estate Market Trends - January-March, 2013 - 04/05/13

How long will my Union County home be on the market? - 02/24/13

Garwood Market Report - December, 2012 - 12/28/12

Garwood NJ Market Report - 02/15/12

~ Wayne & Jean

Union County, NJ - a great place to live and work!

If you're looking to buy or sell a property in Union County, call us at 908-917-4189 or email TeamZuhl@gmail.com.

Check us out on Facebook at Real Estate Today and Things to Do in Union County! Follow us on Pinterest and Twitter.

All opinions, information and data provided is deemed reliable but is subject to errors and omissions. Not intended to solicit other Brokers' clients. We cooperate with them fully.

Colors of Spring Scavenger Hunt - Children's Program - May 20-24

Wayne and Jean Marie Zuhl (Hallmark Realtors) — Sat, 18 May 2013 07:23:06 -0700

Trailside Nature and Science Center at 452 New Providence Road in Mountainside offers hikes, stories, and activities for toddlers, 2 and 3 year olds, and 4-6 year olds every week. The cost is $10 per Union County family, $12 for out of county families.

2-3 year olds are welcome on Thursdays and Fridays at 9:30 am.

3-4 year olds are wlecome on Tuesday at 1:30 pm and Wednesday at 10am.

4-6 year olds are welcome on Tuesdays at 9:45 am and 3:30 pm and on Wednesdays at 1:15 pm.

Children are welcome to Trailside during the week of May 20-24 for a Colors of Spring Scavenger Hunt. Dress for the outdoors and go on a scavenger hunt to try to find red birds, orange rocks, yellow flowers, green leaves, blue skies, purple berries and much more.

Families are encouraged to register by phone at (908) 789-3670.

~ Wayne & Jean

Union County, NJ - a great place to live and work!

If you're looking to buy or sell a property in Union County, call us at 908-917-4189 or email TeamZuhl@gmail.com.

Check us out on Facebook at Real Estate Today and Things to Do in Union County! Follow us on Pinterest and Twitter.

All opinions, information and data provided is deemed reliable but is subject to errors and omissions. Not intended to solicit other Brokers' clients. We cooperate with them fully.

Open House - 2258 Elizabeth Avenue, Rahway 5/19 2-4pm

Wayne and Jean Marie Zuhl (Hallmark Realtors) — Thu, 16 May 2013 14:21:27 -0700

Team Zuhl

Are proud to present

2258 Elizabeth Avenue

Come join us this Sunday May 19, 2013

For an Open House from 2pm till 4pm

This home features 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, partially finished basement and huge yard. This house can be yours for only $199,900!!!

~ Wayne & Jean

Union County, NJ - a great place to live and work!

If you're looking to buy or sell a property in Union County, call us at 908-917-4189 or email TeamZuhl@gmail.com.

Check us out on Facebook at Real Estate Today and Things to Do in Union County! Follow us on Pinterest and Twitter.

All opinions, information and data provided is deemed reliable but is subject to errors and omissions. Not intended to solicit other Brokers' clients. We cooperate with them fully.

If we ran our business like the Apple Store...

Wayne and Jean Marie Zuhl (Hallmark Realtors) — Thu, 16 May 2013 04:36:53 -0700

Last evening, Jean's iPod stopped working. We tried to fix it ourselves but eventually gave up and decided to go to the Apple Store to have it fixed or replaced.

I looked on their website and found out that we needed to make an appointment!

What??? Did I read this wrong? To buy something, from a store in a mall, we have to make an appointment??? Yup...

So I scheduled the appointment online for 8pm, the earliest available appointment. We arrived at the mall about 20 minutes early, parked and went in. The store was busy, but there were TEN employees standing around talking to each other, not helping any customers. A blue shirted twenty-something checked us in using his iPad and told us we're next in the queue, but will have to wait. And wait we did, for nearly a half hour.

At one point I asked the man with the iPad why we had to wait while nearly a dozen of his co-workers were not helping us, and just chatting amongst themselves. His answer: "They're not qualified."

Finally after almost 30 minutes a "qualified" employee was able to help us at the "Genius Bar" (no they don't even serve drinks there). He looked at our busted old iPod, entered the serial number in his iPad and said: "We can't repair it, but will give you a 10% discount if you trade it in." This exchange took less than a minute and required a "qualified" employee. Thanks a bunch!

Finally one of the idle employees was sent our way to show us what replacements were available. In less than 10 minutes we were back in the car, Jean's new iPod in hand waiting to have her latest podcasts loaded on to it.

As we were driving home our discussion went like this:

"What if we ran our business the way that the Apple Store runs theirs?"

"All our customers and clients will have to go on line to schedule an appointment, weeks in advance. Then when we meet with them, we'll tell them that we can't help them and refer them to someone else."

This is a great business plan when you're the only game in town. I guess we'll keep doing it they way we have been and actually help people quickly by providing them with great cusotmer service.

~ Wayne & Jean

Union County, NJ - a great place to live and work!

If you're looking to buy or sell a property in Union County, call us at 908-917-4189 or email TeamZuhl@gmail.com.

Check us out on Facebook at Real Estate Today and Things to Do in Union County! Follow us on Pinterest and Twitter.

All opinions, information and data provided is deemed reliable but is subject to errors and omissions. Not intended to solicit other Brokers' clients. We cooperate with them fully.

JUST LISTED!! 1937 Arbor Lane, Union

Wayne and Jean Marie Zuhl (Hallmark Realtors) — Mon, 13 May 2013 16:30:05 -0700

Team Zuhl

Are proud to present

1937 Arbor Lane, Union

This home is absolutely stunning! It features beautiful handcrafted woodwork throughout the entire first floor. The floor plan is vey open and there is a LOT of storage space.

Enjoy cooking and having breakfast in the bright kitchen, or enjoy entertaining in the large dining room. The Master Bedroom is located on the first floor as is the bright family room with the handcrafted entertainment center.

The second floor can be used as an in-law suite. It features a kitchen, 2 bedrooms and a large living room.

Here's a very affordable home with 4/5 bedrooms, a porch, fenced in yard, attached garage, partially finished basement; all located on a beautiful dead end street in the Orchard Park section of Union.

If you'd like to upgrade anything or change the layout, Renovation Loan financing is available.

Contact us for more information.

~ Wayne & Jean

Union County, NJ - a great place to live and work!

If you're looking to buy or sell a property in Union County, call us at 908-917-4189 or email TeamZuhl@gmail.com.

Check us out on Facebook at Real Estate Today and Things to Do in Union County! Follow us on Pinterest and Twitter.

All opinions, information and data provided is deemed reliable but is subject to errors and omissions. Not intended to solicit other Brokers' clients. We cooperate with them fully.

Rotary Woof Walk to raise money for local Police & K-9 units - May 19

Wayne and Jean Marie Zuhl (Hallmark Realtors) — Fri, 10 May 2013 11:19:58 -0700

When: Sunday, 10am till 2pm - May 19, 2013

Where: On the Village Green, Scotch Plains

Why: To raise money for the Scotch Plains Police K-9 Unit, the Fanwood Police Department's Bike patrol as well as other Rotary charities.

The information below is from a press release written by Maria LaMorte-Wright, VP of the FSP Rotary.

The Fanwood-Scotch Plains Rotary Club will hold its third annual "Woof Walk” on Sunday, May 19^th. The walk is a 1.5-mile fundraiser for the Scotch Plains Police K-9 unit, the Fanwood Police Department's Bike Patrol and other Rotary charities.

The Scotch Plains Police K-9 Unit is used in a variety of situations to assist the residents of Scotch Plains.

To search for and detect the presence of explosive devices or firearms
To search for and detect the odor of narcotics
To search for lost persons
To search for hidden suspects
To apprehend fleeing suspects
To be a visual deterrent for crime

The Fanwood Police Department’s Bike Patrol, which started in 2011, was created to foster a personal relationship between the police, business owners and the community. This allows a more informal interaction with the officers and citizens of Fanwood.

Beginning at the Scotch Plains Village Green, dogs and their owners will take a walk through the streets and neighborhoods of Scotch Plains. Check-in begins at 10 a.m., and the walk starts at 11. There will be water and trash receptacles along the way as well as many Rotary volunteers.

The event will feature music, refreshments, K-9 unit demonstrations, door prizes and contests for "Amazing Dog Trick," "Look-a-Like," "Face Only a Mother Could Love" and "Best Dressed." Every participant receives a free dog bandana while supplies last. All dogs should be properly licensed and vaccinated. In Fanwood and Scotch Plains, all dogs six months and older must be licensed. Licensing information can be obtained in person at the Fanwood or Scotch Plains Municipal buildings and information is available on both of the town websites.

Registration is required and is $10 before the event and $15 on the day of the event. Registration forms are available online at www.rotarywoofwalk.com.

The Fanwood-Scotch Plains Rotary Club meets every Wednesday at noon at the Stage House Restaurant. Guests are invited to join us for lunch, enjoy the camaraderie, and learn about the good that Rotary is doing worldwide.

~ Wayne & Jean

Union County, NJ - a great place to live and work!

If you're looking to buy or sell a property in Union County, call us at 908-917-4189 or email TeamZuhl@gmail.com.

Check us out on Facebook at Real Estate Today and Things to Do in Union County! Follow us on Pinterest and Twitter.

All opinions, information and data provided is deemed reliable but is subject to errors and omissions. Not intended to solicit other Brokers' clients. We cooperate with them fully.

Astronomy Day Celebration @ Trailside Nature and Science Center May 18

Wayne and Jean Marie Zuhl (Hallmark Realtors) — Thu, 09 May 2013 13:23:48 -0700

On Saturday, May 18th, 2013, the Union County Board of Freeholders and the members of Amateur Astronomers, Inc. will be holding Astronomy Day festivities at Trailside.

The event will feature safe solar observing (weather permitting) from 1 to 2pm followed by childrens event from 2 to 4pm. There will be door prizes and special events for the children.

The evening presentation begins at 8pm and runs until 10pm. If the skies are clear telescopic views of Saturn and other objects will be seen.

For more information please visit Trailside's website or call 908-789-3670.

~ Wayne & Jean

Union County, NJ - a great place to live and work!

If you're looking to buy or sell a property in Union County, call us at 908-917-4189 or email TeamZuhl@gmail.com.

Check us out on Facebook at Real Estate Today and Things to Do in Union County! Follow us on Pinterest and Twitter.

All opinions, information and data provided is deemed reliable but is subject to errors and omissions. Not intended to solicit other Brokers' clients. We cooperate with them fully.

10 Union County High Schools Make Newsweek’s Short List

Wayne and Jean Marie Zuhl (Hallmark Realtors) — Wed, 08 May 2013 15:33:13 -0700

10 Union County High Schools Make Newsweek’s Short List

Newsweek Magazine published its 2000 best high schools in the nation this week and ten Union County schools made the list!

The criteria for assessing schools were graduation rate, college acceptance rate, AP/IB/AICE tests taken per student, average SAT/ACT scores, average AP/IB/AICE scores, and percent of students enrolled in at least one AP/IB/AICE course.

Union County Magnet High School for Science, Mathematics, and Technology ranked at number 65 in the nation.

Union County Academy for Allied Health Sciences ranked at number 202 in the nation.

Cranford High School ranked at 206 in the nation.

Westfield High School ranked at number 356.

Summit High School ranked number 461.

Academy for Information Technology was 468.

Jonathan Dayton High School in Springfield ranked at number 716.

Arthur L. Johnson High School in Clark ranked at number 898.

Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School ranked at number 918.

Union County Academy for Performing Arts in Scotch Plains ranked at number 962.

Congratulations!

~ Wayne & Jean

Union County, NJ - a great place to live and work!

If you're looking to buy or sell a property in Union County, call us at 908-917-4189 or email TeamZuhl@gmail.com.

Check us out on Facebook at Real Estate Today and Things to Do in Union County! Follow us on Pinterest and Twitter.

All opinions, information and data provided is deemed reliable but is subject to errors and omissions. Not intended to solicit other Brokers' clients. We cooperate with them fully.

Real Estate Market Report for Cranford, NJ for April, 2013

Wayne and Jean Marie Zuhl (Hallmark Realtors) — Tue, 07 May 2013 13:46:07 -0700

Real Estate Market Report for Cranford, NJ for April, 2013

Cranford, NJ, is a lovely town in central Union County and is home to roughly 23,000 people. Cranford High School has consistently ranked in the top schools in the Country and State.

Looking at the housing inventory in Cranford, it's plain to see that the low inventory days are ending. There has been a 27% increase in inventory since January and a 17% increase in inventory in April 2013 as compared to April 2012.

With an increase in inventory, prices typically drop, and that's exactly what is being seen in Cranford this spring. The average sale price in April of 2013 was 5% lower than the average sale price in March of 2013, 17% lower than the average sale price in December of 2012, and 21% lower than the average sale price of April 2012.

The good news for homeowners in Cranford is that homes are selling quickly. The average home in Cranford sold in 48 days in April, as compared to 124 days in January of 2013 and 65 days in April of 2012.

Cranford, NJ, is a beautiful town with beautiful homes. If you're interested in buying or selling a home in Cranford, give us a call for a free market analysis. We can give you information on other homes like yours that have sold in Cranford, and make a reasonable estimate of market value.

For more information on Cranford Real Estate:

How long will my Union County home be on the market? - 02/24/13

Winter in Cranford's real estate market - 02/23/13

Cranford, NJ, Real Estate Market - 12/22/12

What's going on with the Cranford Real Estate Market? - 10/25/12

How does the number of bath or beds affect market value in Cranford? - 10/12/12

Free Market Analysis of Cranford, NJ - 07/30/12

Cranford Marketing Report - 02/27/12

~ Wayne & Jean

Union County, NJ - a great place to live and work!

If you're looking to buy or sell a property in Union County, call us at 908-917-4189 or email TeamZuhl@gmail.com.

Check us out on Facebook at Real Estate Today and Things to Do in Union County! Follow us on Pinterest and Twitter.

All opinions, information and data provided is deemed reliable but is subject to errors and omissions. Not intended to solicit other Brokers' clients. We cooperate with them fully.

16 Ways to Thank a Teacher

Wayne and Jean Marie Zuhl (Hallmark Realtors) — Tue, 07 May 2013 05:01:04 -0700

Happy National Teacher Day!

To teach is to touch lives forever.

None of us would be where we were if it weren't for a teacher, and, in many cases, many teachers. Christa McAuliffe said, "I touch the future. I teach." Teachers are the profession that teach all the other professions. And yet, according to TIME magazine, 77% of adults feel teaching is one of the most under-appreciated professions in this country. Today is National Teacher Day, so here are 16 ways you can say "Thank you" to the teachers in your life.

Walk up to your teacher and say, "Thank you." They'll know why.
Do exactly what your teacher thinks you're capable of doing.
Volunteer in a public school. Be a guest lecturer. Chaperone field trips. Serve in the cafeteria.
Bring some cut flowers from your garden to your teacher. Or stop at a florist and buy some.
Send your teacher a card saying "Thank you." Jean is a teacher, and she has a binder that bursts with all of the thank you cards she's received over the years.
Pay it forward - teach someone else the lessons that your teacher taught you.
Bring your teacher an apple. Or a plum. Or a pear.
Make a donation to a public school. Earmark the donation for something your teacher would appreciate - books, technology, a couch for the faculty room?
Send your teacher an email saying "Thank you." Trust me - he or she will save it forever.
Encourage a child to become a teacher.
Remind your teacher of something he or she said that had an impact on you.
Spread the love - Buy a book that your teacher recommended and give it to someone who needs it.
Publicly thank a teacher - on your Facebook wall, on your Active Rain post (Thanks, Miss DiCandia!), in your Tweets, on YouTube.
Vote for education. Support your local school budget and candidates who support public education.
Give your teacher a gift. Some of Jean's favorites are gift certificates to book stores and coffee shops, but some families give more extravagant gifts - tickets to a Broadway play, certiicates for dinner out, spa gift certificates.
Nominate him or her for the National Teacher Hall of Fame.

~ Wayne & Jean

Union County, NJ - a great place to live and work!

If you're looking to buy or sell a property in Union County, call us at 908-917-4189 or email TeamZuhl@gmail.com.

Check us out on Facebook at Real Estate Today and Things to Do in Union County! Follow us on Pinterest and Twitter.

All opinions, information and data provided is deemed reliable but is subject to errors and omissions. Not intended to solicit other Brokers' clients. We cooperate with them fully.

Real Estate Market Report for Fanwood, NJ for April, 2013

Wayne and Jean Marie Zuhl (Hallmark Realtors) — Tue, 07 May 2013 03:29:08 -0700

Beautiful Fanwood, NJ, is located in southern Union County and is home to just over 7000 people.

After last spring's very high inventory, Fanwood has had a relatively stable, but low, inventory of homes. April, 2013 had 38 active listings, compared to April of 2012 which had 55 active listings. Sales have increased somewhat. There were eight homes sold in April of 2013, compared to 4 homes sold in April of 2012.

Fanwood homes continue to sell quickly as they have for nearly a year. Homes in Fanwood have sold within the first two months on the market, on average, since June of 2012. Quick home sales reflects the continued low inventory.

The average list price of homes in Fanwood has increased pretty consistently over the past year and the average list price in April of 2013 was 13% higher than a year ago. The average sale price of a home in Fanwood in April, 2013, was $431,697, compared to $452,250 in April of 2012 representing a minor decrease in price. Overall, however, prices have seen an upward trend in Fanwood.

Before you buy or sell a home in Fanwood, be sure to call us for a free comparative market analysis. Your home may be worth more than you think when it's compared to others in Fanwood that have sold in the last year!

For more information on Fanwood Real Estate:

Fanwood Real Estate - January-March, 2013 - 04/14/13

How long will my Union County home be on the market? - 02/24/13

Fanwood Real Estate Market Report - 12/27/12

It's a Seller's Market in Fanwood, NJ! - 10/26/12

Free Market Report of Fanwood Homes! - 08/14/12

Fanwood's First Half of 2012 - 07/09/12

53 Kenilworth Homes Sold So Far in 2012! - 07/09/12

Fanwood NJ Market Report - 02/14/12

~ Wayne & Jean

Union County, NJ - a great place to live and work!

If you're looking to buy or sell a property in Union County, call us at 908-917-4189 or email TeamZuhl@gmail.com.

Check us out on Facebook at Real Estate Today and Things to Do in Union County! Follow us on Pinterest and Twitter.

All opinions, information and data provided is deemed reliable but is subject to errors and omissions. Not intended to solicit other Brokers' clients. We cooperate with them fully.

Real Estate Market Report for Clark, NJ for April, 2013

Wayne and Jean Marie Zuhl (Hallmark Realtors) — Mon, 06 May 2013 15:41:14 -0700

Real Estate Market Report for Clark, NJ for April, 2013

Clark, New Jersey, sits in southern Union County to the west of Rahway and the east of Fanwood. Clark is a beautiful town easily accessible by the New Jersey Parkway in southern Union County. The township is named for Abraham Clark who was a signer of the Declaration of Independence. New Jersey Monthly magazine ranked Clark as its 33rd best place to live in its 2008 rankings of the "Best Places To Live" in New Jersey.

When we look at the Clark real estate market, we see that the inventory has begun a slight increase but still isn’t anywhere near the peak of summer, 2012.

As inventory drops, prices typically increase. As of April, prices were about 30% higher than March and about 28% higher than April, 2012.

Sale prices in Clark were continue to average at 95% of list prices.

The best news for homeowners may be the speed at which homes in Clark are going under contract. In April the average number of days from going on the market to being under contract was only 24 – about 50% faster than in March and about 30% faster than April of 2012.

Increased prices and shorter days on market means a booming seller’s market in Clark! If you're interested in finding out how much your home is worth, call us today for a free market analysis of your home!

For more information on Clark and Clark Real Estate:

Why we love Clark, NJ

Clark, NJ, Market Report for January-March, 2013

Clark to build a new Town Center

How long will my Union County home be on the market?

A Historical look at the January Real Estate Market in Clark

Clark Market Report - January-November, 2012

What's Happening in the Clark Real Estate Market? - 10/25/12

How do additional bathrooms or bedrooms affect market value in Clark? - 10/17/12

Clark Market Report - August 2011 to August 2012

Free Market Analysis of Clark, NJ

108 Homes Sold in Clark, NJ, so far in 2012! - 07/09/12

It's time to buy in Clark! - 02/26/12

Clark, NJ, Market Study - 02/13/12

~ Wayne & Jean

Union County, NJ - a great place to live and work!

If you're looking to buy or sell a property in Union County, call us at 908-917-4189 or email TeamZuhl@gmail.com.

Check us out on Facebook at Real Estate Today and Things to Do in Union County! Follow us on Pinterest and Twitter.

All opinions, information and data provided is deemed reliable but is subject to errors and omissions. Not intended to solicit other Brokers' clients. We cooperate with them fully.

UNDER CONTRACT!!! 89 Coolidge Avenue, Parlin

Wayne and Jean Marie Zuhl (Hallmark Realtors) — Thu, 02 May 2013 16:58:52 -0700

Team Zuhl is happy to announce that 89 Coolidge Avenue in Parlin is now Under Contract with an anticipated closing date of July 10. (Our Wedding Anniversary!)

This home features:

4 bedrooms

2 full baths, 1 partial bath

Partially finished basement

Hardwood floors

Granite countertops

Stainless steel appliances

Partially finished basement

Large pool

Woodburning fireplace in basement

Multi-zone heat and central air

If you're looking to sell your home for the most money in the shortest time possible, contact us at TeamZuhl.com or WayneZuhl.com

~ Wayne & Jean

Union County, NJ - a great place to live and work!

If you're looking to buy or sell a property in Union County, call us at 908-917-4189 or email TeamZuhl@gmail.com.

Check us out on Facebook at Real Estate Today and Things to Do in Union County! Follow us on Pinterest and Twitter.

All opinions, information and data provided is deemed reliable but is subject to errors and omissions. Not intended to solicit other Brokers' clients. We cooperate with them fully.

Our Favorite Closing Gift

Wayne and Jean Marie Zuhl (Hallmark Realtors) — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 14:44:54 -0700

What's your favorite closing gift?

Usually we give our buyers some nice champagne and a gift card, maybe a nice bouquet of flowers. But when circumstances and timing allow, we do something a bit different.

We throw them a House Warming Party. We take care of the invitations - we invite as many of their friends and family as they like as well as some of their new neighbors. We provide all the food, soft drinks, a simple dessert, some chips, plates, napkins, even the garbage bags and table cloths.

This weekend, we held a party for a young couple that had just bought their dream home. We had invitations printed, including their photo in front of their new home so that the neighbors would know who they were. We served a six foot sub along with potato salad, macaroni salad and a variety of chips with cookies for dessert. Eight to ten bottles of soda as well as a case of water are added to our ice filled cooler. We don't provide any alcohol, although the buyers got plenty as gifts.

We do much of the setup, arriving about an hour before the party.
Once the spread is out and everything is set up, the guests start to arrive. This weekend's party was held in the couple's new backyard, and the couple broke out their new lawn games they received as a gift from one of the party attendees.

Nearly 40 people attended this weekend including lots of the neighbors. Everyone had a gift for the couple and many brought food - sausage and peppers, salads, even dessert. And alcohol.

Afterwards our buyers thanked us for putting on such a fun and memorable party. They got to show off their new home to their friends and family, and they got to know their new neighbors.

Now they are past clients but more importantly they're also our friends.

~ Wayne & Jean

Union County, NJ - a great place to live and work!

If you're looking to buy or sell a property in Union County, call us at 908-917-4189 or email TeamZuhl@gmail.com.

Check us out on Facebook at Real Estate Today and Things to Do in Union County! Follow us on Pinterest and Twitter.

All opinions, information and data provided is deemed reliable but is subject to errors and omissions. Not intended to solicit other Brokers' clients. We cooperate with them fully.

The One Thing

Wayne and Jean Marie Zuhl (Hallmark Realtors) — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 14:28:22 -0700

Successful people know the secret.

They know how to use their time to get more done, but it’s not because they’re more efficient. They don’t multitask and try to juggle many activities at the same time. They don’t spread themselves too thin and they don’t settle for quick gratification.

Successful people just work smarter. They focus all of their energy and willpower on the one or two things that are the most important to their business. They ignore the distracters and the busy-ness around them and instead focus all of their energy on getting the most important things done. They can postpone satisfaction because a bigger reward comes to those who wait. “Not all things matter equally,” Gary Keller says in The One Thing, and knowing which things matter most is how successful people are able to become successful. The secret, Keller says, is to go as small as possible, not in your goals, but in your actions. Doing one important thing very well is infinitely more rewarding than doing many insignificantly things.

Successful people prioritize so that they can do the most important things when their minds and bodies are the most able to do them. Pick the one single item that will make all of the other things on your list either easier or unimportant and focus on that one item.

If you haven’t read The One Thing, you’ll be hooked by just the first chapter. There, you’ll learn how going small can help your results go big. Then, in Chapter 5, you’ll learn how trying to do too much results in actually getting less done. Finally, in Chapter 7, you’ll learn how putting the most important things first takes advantage of your natural will power.

The One Thing is a great read and you’ll be glad you dedicated the time to learn how to make your business more successful!

Be sure to check out the One Thing contest!

~ Wayne & Jean

Union County, NJ - a great place to live and work!

If you're looking to buy or sell a property in Union County, call us at 908-917-4189 or email TeamZuhl@gmail.com.

Check us out on Facebook at Real Estate Today and Things to Do in Union County! Follow us on Pinterest and Twitter.

All opinions, information and data provided is deemed reliable but is subject to errors and omissions. Not intended to solicit other Brokers' clients. We cooperate with them fully.

Why we love Clark, NJ

Wayne and Jean Marie Zuhl (Hallmark Realtors) — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 14:13:04 -0700

Clark is a charming town in Union County, home to nearly 15,000 people. It's easy to come up with 10 things to love about Clark:

Arthur L. Johnson is the home of the fighting Crusaders and ranks at #40 in NJ.
Clark has a wide variety of restaurants and coffee shops.
Residents of Clark enjoy a wide variety of shopping centers and one of the oldest farmers' markets in the area.
Clark is home to fantastic doctors, a great spa, and plenty of gyms.
The new Town Center sounds beautiful!
Clark residents who work in New York City have an easy commute.
Clark enjoys a rich history. The Homestead Farm at Oak Ridge was the site of a skirmish preceding the Battle of Short Hills. The Dr. William Robinson Plantation Museum was the home of one of the first physicians in the area, back in the 1700s.
Real estate is booming in Clark!
New Jersey Monthly magazine ranked Clark as its 33rd best place to live in its 2008 rankings of the "Best Places To Live" in New Jersey.
Clark is beautiful in the springtime, and all year long!

Contact Team Zuhl for assistance if you're thinking about buying or selling a home in beautiful Clark, NJ!

~ Wayne & Jean

Union County, NJ - a great place to live and work!

If you're looking to buy or sell a property in Union County, call us at 908-917-4189 or email TeamZuhl@gmail.com.

Check us out on Facebook at Real Estate Today and Things to Do in Union County! Follow us on Pinterest and Twitter.

All opinions, information and data provided is deemed reliable but is subject to errors and omissions. Not intended to solicit other Brokers' clients. We cooperate with them fully.

Children's Gardening Programs at Trailside - April 29-May 3

Wayne and Jean Marie Zuhl (Hallmark Realtors) — Sat, 27 Apr 2013 09:27:52 -0700

2-3 year olds are welcome on Thursdays and Fridays at 9:30 am.

3-4 year olds are wlecome on Tuesday at 1:30 pm and Wednesday at 10am.

4-6 year olds are welcome on Tuesdays at 9:45 am and 3:30 pm and on Wednesdays at 1:15 pm.

During the week of April 29-May 3, Trailside welcomes children to the Nature Center with gardening programs. Children will learn how flowers, fruits, and vegetables grow. They will also learn about the different parts of a plant and what it takes to make them grow. Take home a flower pot and plant seeds. Older kids will learn about the importance of seeds to animals and hike to the wildflower meadow to spread seeds.

Families are encouraged to register by phone at (908) 789-3670.

~ Wayne & Jean

Union County, NJ - a great place to live and work!

If you're looking to buy or sell a property in Union County, call us at 908-917-4189 or email TeamZuhl@gmail.com.

Check us out on Facebook at Real Estate Today and Things to Do in Union County! Follow us on Pinterest and Twitter.

All opinions, information and data provided is deemed reliable but is subject to errors and omissions. Not intended to solicit other Brokers' clients. We cooperate with them fully.

Babe Ruth Day - April 27th

Wayne and Jean Marie Zuhl (Hallmark Realtors) — Sat, 27 Apr 2013 09:19:50 -0700

"Yesterday's home runs don't win today's games." (Babe Ruth)

Since today is Babe Ruth Day, let's consider one of the Bambino's more famous quotes - "Yesterday's home runs don't win today's games."

You may have had eight closings yesterday or maybe it was a day filled with five listing appointments, all ready to sign up with you. You may have received 4 competetive offers on every home in your inventory or perhaps you finally found the house for the seven million dollar buyers you've been working with. Great for you. But today's a new day.

Your success from yesterday isn't what gets you into the Hall of Fame. It's the day to day grind, plugging away and performing at your very best level every single day for 22 seasons, in the case of the Sultan of Swat. You don't win today's game if you're still busy sitting on your laurels. You've got to swing for the fences every day.

The good news is that your failures from yesterday don't carry in to today either. You get a fresh new start every day.

So, get a move on - Batter up!

~ Wayne & Jean

Union County, NJ - a great place to live and work!

If you're looking to buy or sell a property in Union County, call us at 908-917-4189 or email TeamZuhl@gmail.com.

Check us out on Facebook at Real Estate Today and Things to Do in Union County! Follow us on Pinterest and Twitter.

All opinions, information and data provided is deemed reliable but is subject to errors and omissions. Not intended to solicit other Brokers' clients. We cooperate with them fully.

This has NEVER happened to me, until today...

Wayne and Jean Marie Zuhl (Hallmark Realtors) — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 16:55:16 -0700

Earlier this evening I was showing a rental listing of ours, a small one bedroom apartment. I met the tenant at 6pm. As per our instructions, I had confirmed with the tenant through our showing center, giving 24 hours notice for the showing.

When we arrived I knocked on the door, opened it up, and called out, "Hello!" Hearing no reply I went in with the prospective tenant.

First we looked at the kitchen and bath. We then went into the bedroom. I pointed out the large closet. But then I noticed something odd. A waxy looking hand sticking out of the closet, honestly I thought it was a prop of some sort. As I said, "Let's look in the closet," a voice called out from inside the closet!

"It's me, the tenant. I'm not dressed and I'm hiding in here until you're gone!"

The prospective tenant and I couldn't have gotten out of there any faster!

This is definitely a story to remember.

~ Wayne & Jean

Union County, NJ - a great place to live and work!

If you're looking to buy or sell a property in Union County, call us at 908-917-4189 or email TeamZuhl@gmail.com.

Check us out on Facebook at Real Estate Today and Things to Do in Union County! Follow us on Pinterest and Twitter.

All opinions, information and data provided is deemed reliable but is subject to errors and omissions. Not intended to solicit other Brokers' clients. We cooperate with them fully.

Today's NON-eclipse

Wayne and Jean Marie Zuhl (Hallmark Realtors) — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 10:56:43 -0700

You may see something on line or even on the news about a Lunar Eclipse that is happening today. Sadly we won't be able to witness ANY of it as the moon is not placed well for observing it from western hemisphere.

But that's not all bad. It is going to be such a shallow eclipse that even if we could see it, you wouldn't notice any difference by just looking at the moon.

Additionally a Lunar Eclipse is NEVER dangerous to look at. Much caution must be observed when viewing a SOLAR Eclipse.

If this were a deep eclipse visible to us the moon would appear a beautiful copper-red color. Truly a great sight to see, just not this time.

Click here for more information about this eclipse.

~ Wayne & Jean

Union County, NJ - a great place to live and work!

If you're looking to buy or sell a property in Union County, call us at 908-917-4189 or email TeamZuhl@gmail.com.

Check us out on Facebook at Real Estate Today and Things to Do in Union County! Follow us on Pinterest and Twitter.

All opinions, information and data provided is deemed reliable but is subject to errors and omissions. Not intended to solicit other Brokers' clients. We cooperate with them fully.