Your Robinson Team Blog

March Madness Open House at Summit Square Luxury Townhomes

2008-03-03T12:18:35Z

http://www.loisschneiderrealtor.com/

March Madness Open House Tuesday, March 4 from 10AM - 1PM (Bad weather date: March 11th) Builder Offering $50,000 off list price and $25,000 in builder options, for building H only ,* the entire month of March! Bring your cards for a drawing for 2 Broadway tickets provided by the builder! Bring your appetite for a lunch from Creativa. *Beautiful Enclave of Luxury Townhomes* Summit, New Jersey Sample Listing: 38 Eggers Court GSMLS# 2413850 Prices range from $789,000 to $899,000

73% of available units have been sold. Four models available to view.


Directions: Morris Avenue to Russell Place to Eggers Court.

Why Lois Schneider Realtor is #1 in Summit, NJ Real Estate

2008-02-29T14:58:32Z

As you can see from the charts, whether you are buying or selling in Summit, NJ, you must call Lois Schneider Realtor, the market leader. For over a quarter century, the company has been one of Summit's most productive real estate firms. We invite you to drop in or call to schedule a personal consultation. We are sure you will know why Lois Schneider was named by the New Jersey Business Journal as one of the state's top 25 corporations owned by a woman.

January '07 vs. January '08 Under Contract Properties Summit, NJ Area Real Estate Market

2008-02-25T16:12:51Z

Following up on my last blog (January '07 vs. January '08 closed properties) this is a comparison of properties which went under contract - last January vs. this January:

Summit

2008 21 properties

2007 20 properties

New Providence

2008 13 properties

2007 10 properties

Berkeley Hts.

2008 4

2007 14

Millburn/Short Hills

2008 14

2007 27

Chatham Boro

2008 5

2007 4

Chatham Twp

2008 10

2007 19

Madison

2008 9

2007 16

As you can see the market is still pretty strong in the Summit, NJ area (thanks to the train line into NYC). If you are interested in moving to this area, please contact me. I would be more than happy to assist you.

January '07 vs. January '08 Closed Properties Summit, NJ Area Real Estate Market

2008-02-25T16:02:46Z

# of prop closed Total value of prop closed Avg DOM Avg Sale Avg Sale/List Price

Summit:

2008 16 $12,843,000 45.6 $802,688 97.12

2007 18 $13,841,400 70.7 $768,967 95.92

Millburn:

2008 4 $2,314,500 51.0 $578,625 95.08

2007 5 $3,182,500 51.8 $636,500 96.88

Short Hills

2008 17 $23,923,000 53.5 $1,407,235 95.71

2007 9 $14,785,000 74.7 $1,642,778 95.11

Chatham Boro

2008 6 $4,651,500 47.1 $775,250 98.34

2007 12 $10,816,500 67.6 $901,375 93.88

Chatham Twp

2008 11 $9,694,196 77.5 $881,291 99.21

2007 13 $10,851,500 48.0 $834,731 97.05

Madison

2008 7 $6,674,900 61.1 $953,557 93.86

2007 11 $11,885,000 64.5 $1,080,455 95.25

New Providence

2008 5 $2,782,500 55.5 $556,500 93.78

2007 12 $6,499,150 81.5 $541,596 95.43

Berkeley Hts.

2008 8 $4,279,900 95,9 $534,988 97.93

2007 10 $4,463,650 99.8 $446,365 97.16

Top 100 Places to Live in NJ

2008-02-20T11:12:03Z

Well it's that time again. NJ Monthly Magazine has put out its Best Places to Live in New Jersey edition. I thought I would share with everyone what the rankings were for the towns that I cover.

Summit, NJ - #29

Millburn/Short Hills - #53

Berkeley Heights - #59

Chatham Boro - #24

And last but certainly not least....

CHATHAM TOWNSHIP RANKED #1

To find out where your town placed or why the towns were ranked the way they were, please visit NJ Monthly Magazine (unfortunately the website hasn't updated as of yet, so wait a day or two before visting). Also take time to read the article that was written about Chatham Township. It is a fascinating story about the longtime rivalry between Chatham Boro and Chatham Township.

Average Sale Prices for Summit, NJ Area Real Estate

2008-02-11T09:46:02Z

Here are the 2007 average sale prices for the towns in the Summit, NJ area.

Summit, NJ - $1,104,136

Short Hills, NJ - $1,554,440

Chatham Boro, NJ - $741,144

Chatham Twp, NJ - $1,055,297

Madison, NJ - $792,972

New Providence, NJ - $576,061

Berkeley Heights, NJ - $587,105

Harding, NJ - $2,141,367

If you would like more information or statistics, please contact me with your specific request and I will be more than happy to get back to you.

Ready to Buy? Why you need a real estate agent

2008-01-24T14:41:37Z

No other purchase is more important than your home (it's the biggest one you'll ever make), and it involves many decisions that go beyond simply choosing one that you like. You want the best advice you can get. You want your family and friends to see it and give their opinions. They will then probably tell you war stories about their transactions. While this may start out as good intentions, it eventually leads to stress. Working with a real estate agent can reduce some of that stress.

When you are ready to start looking at homes with an agent, good communication is crucial. The more you can describe your needs and where you are willing to compromise, the easier it will be to find your dream home. Discuss with the agent specific requirements such as school systems, proximity to work, house style, amenities, etc. This will prevent you from having to look at every house on the market and wasting time. A good real estate agent listens.

When you do find that perfect home, remember every local real estate market has its own trends and opportunities. It can even vary from one neighborhood to the next. You should know everything about the property you are buying. Is it priced correctly? Is it a good deal? A real estate agent will answer these questions based upon their expertise and negotiate a contract that includes your best possible terms and conditions.

An agent's services do not end there. Your agent will be with you and advise you during the home inspection process, applying for a mortgage, and making your new home into your dream home (they have the names of great decorators, handymen, etc.). Real estate transactions are very complex and problems can arise. When you buy your home with the help of a real estate agent, your agent will make sure that mole hills do not turn into mountains. You can still worry about might go wrong if you wish, but you don't have to.

Ready to Sell? Why you need a real estate agent

2008-01-24T14:39:53Z

Selling your home is one of the most important decisions that you will make. It could also be one of the hardest. What is my house worth? How long before it sells? How can I market my house best? These decisions are best left to the professionals.

Pricing can be one of the trickiest aspects of listing a home. There is no exact price for real estate. A real estate agent will show you a range of prices being paid for comparable homes in your neighborhood and then help you determine the appropriate price for your home. Remember the market will determine the true value of the property.

The other trick to selling real estate is marketing the home. Before your home hits the market, an agent will walk through your home with you and advise you on how to present your property to maximize its potential. Some improvements are worth it and some are not. Once the house is ready and the price is set, an agent can market the house to a wider audience than if it was privately done. Your home will be put on the Multiple Listing Service and a customized marketing plan will be established. This should include print, internet and any other forms of communication. There should also be individualized promotional materials for the home. It all starts to add up in price after awhile. When you use a real estate agent, all of this is included.

If you price your house right and market it properly, it will sell. The less time on the market means less inconvenience and usually the best price. But an agent's services do not end there. In fact, they are used most from the time of signing the contract to closing of title. Once a home has a bid on it, an agent will negotiate the best price and terms for you. Then after the contract is finalized, an agent is there representing you during the home inspection process and following up on all the contingencies to make sure they are satisfied in a timely manner.

Remember, a transaction is rarely completed without a few problems. Errors can be extremely costly, and a real estate agent's professional skills, experience and knowledge can be worth their weight in gold at that time.

Taste of Madison, NJ

2008-01-18T12:16:39Z

On Monday, January 28th, the Taste of Madison will be coming to The Madison Hotel located at One Convent Road, Morristown, NJ. This is always a fun culinary experience. There are two tiers of tickets that can be purchased. There is the VIP Reception which costs $100 per person and starts at 5:00PM or the General Admission which costs $65 per person and starts at 6:30PM. You must be 21 years of age and a ticket is required.

For further information, contact Janice Piccolo, Madison, NJ Downtown Manager, at 973-593-8496.

New Short Hills Listing atop Millionaire's Row

2008-01-11T10:14:06Z

This stately newly constructed in 2005 six bedroom five full and one half bath custom designed Colonial is situated in one of the most desirable areas Short Hills has to offer. Enter this exceptional home and you will find yourself in the elegant two story foyer with dramatic curved stairway to the second floor. The first floor offers gracious formal rooms, a gourmet kitchen with state-of-the-art appliances, breakfast area and adjoining family room which shares the ambiance of a two sided fireplace with a lovely sun room. The master bedroom suite with lighted cove ceiling features a fabulous bath with jetted tub, custom fitted walk-in closet and its own sitting room with double sided fireplace. Beautiful moldings and trim along with many upgrades are evident throughout this very special home. To see more go to YourRobinsonTeam.com

Santa's Coming to Town!!

2007-11-30T15:51:48Z

This weekend is the start of the Holiday season for people in Summit, NJ. This is the weekend that Santa comes!! Every year more and more people come out to Summit to join in the festivities. This year is no different. It all starts Sunday, December 2nd at noon with the Puppet Show at the Square Yard located at 343 Springfield Avenue in downtown Summit. There will also be Carolers from 12:00 - 3:00PM all around the downtown area and Horse Drawn Carriage Rides on Beechwood Road from 2:00 - 4:00PM.

Now comes the exciting part!! SANTA!!! Santa will arrive in Summit, NJ at 3:00PM at the Bouras Building located at 25 DeForest Avenue. Santa will only be here for an hour so make sure that you are already in downtown Summit at that time.

Remember all of this is free (and not to mention fun)!!

For further information and directions please visit Summit, NJ Online.

Valerie Fund 16th Annual Thanksgiving Ball Gala

2007-11-16T10:24:02Z

Tonight I will be at the Valerie Fund's 16th Annual Thanksgiving Ball Gala. It is a black tie event held at the Short Hills Hilton that includes a cocktail hour, gourmet five-course dinner, a live and silent auction, entertainment and dancing. The proceeds from the tickets and auction items go to The Valerie Fund which is a non-profit organization that helps children with cancer and blood disorders. This is a very special cause that I believe in and wanted to take the time today to let more people know about this great organization. Right now there are seven centers around the tri-state area. These centers provide not only incredible medical care but also support to the children and their families. To go along with that idea or support, the Valerie Fund has created a camp designed especially for children who have or had cancer. Camp Happy Times is a free one week overnight camp that lets the kids just be kids. I encourage anyone who has read this post to please follow the links incorporated above and see what you can do to help.

Lois Schneider Realtor's 3rd Annual Holiday Boutique

2007-11-14T11:46:54Z

I would like to invite anyone who might be in the Summit, NJ area tomorrow to come and join us for our 3rd annual holiday boutique sale. There will be many vendors at our office located at 431 Springfield Avenue in downtown Summit, NJ. They will be selling an array of things including jewelry, stationery, gifts, makeup, handbags, etc... The event will be held from 12:00PM - 5:00PM and refreshments will be served. This is a great way to get some holiday shopping done early and the all the vendors donate proceeds to a charity. This year's charity is the Realtor Community Care Fund. So please come and join us, get some shopping done and something to eat, and help support a worthwhile cause.

New U.S. Green Building Council Website

2007-11-07T13:56:30Z

Last night the U.S. Green Building Council launched its new easier to use website. Click on the link to see their changes. Some of which are a new resource section and new educational/workshop section just to name a few.

Also just launched is the website of GreenBuild365. This educationcal portal is for everyone who can't make the GreenBuild Conference & Expo in Chicago this week. There will be free live streaming videos of some of the keynote speakers along with journals covering the event.

If environmentalism and going green is important to you, please check out these sites. They are very informational and now easier to use.

Going Green - Some Simple Individual Solutions

2007-11-07T10:04:29Z

We have been discussing going green throughout the towns and at home, but what can you do to personally lower your carbon footprint? Here are just a few simple solutions that you can easily incorporate into your everyday life.

1. Save energy and money. Turn off your lights when not in that room, unplug any appliances or electronics that you are not using, set your computer to go into energy saving mode if not in use (screensavers do not save energy), or charge your cell phone in your car instead of in the house.

2. Shop and eat locally. Did you know that your average meal travels 1,500 miles from the farm to your plate?

3. Sign up to have your unwanted junk mail stopped at either Greendimes.com or DirectMail.com.

4. Use mass transit. If that is an issue, try to combine the trips that require a car. Use the car with the best gas mileage and keep your tires properly inflated. Also try not to idle the car. Just 10 seconds of idling uses more gasoline than restarting your car. Or better yet, try walking or cycling.

5. Get you and your family on a low carbon diet. Visit The Empowerment Institute to find out more.

6. Use environmentally friendly cleaning products. For a great list of some cleaners that you can make at home visit the Children's Health Environmental Coalition.

7. When you go out to dinner, bring along some Tupperware for your take home doggie bags. It's better than that Styrofoam stuff. At home try to use aluminum foil over waxed paper or plastic wrap because it comes in 100% recycled form, withstands heat and cold better, and its better at keep the food's moisture in.

8. Use your shredded confidential documents as packing materials next time you ship something (remember the holidays are coming up).

9. For more tips visit IdealBite.com for some light green living and sign up for their tip-a-day email or visit Green Living Online and be sure to check out the blogs of everyday people going green and how they are doing it.

Environmental Rally in Summit, NJ

2007-11-05T10:47:14Z

It was a nationwide day of movement on Saturday called Step it Up. New Jersey had 10 of these environmental events around the state. I was at the rally in Summit and I am happy to say that there was a pretty good turn out. Among the crowd was Mayor Glatt, Senator Kean, Senator Munoz, and many other people involved in the greening of Summit. It was a very informative meeting focusing on what has been done in Summit and what still needs to be done. If anyone missed this environmental rally I would be happy to e-mail you some of the literature that I received or you can go to www.SummitGreen.org to find out some of what was discussed and what you can do as a community.

By the way, I haven't forgotten about posting individual tips and suggestions on lowering your own carbon footprint. I am trying to make it more concise. It seems that I can go on for days about all the wonderful things that you can do.

Going Green in the Home - Some Solutions

2007-10-26T09:33:45Z

So earlier I wrote about the benefits or going green and recommended a visit to the environmental impact calculators to find out your home's carbon footprint. How did your home rate? Feel that you can do more? Maybe there are still some things that you can do to lower your carbon footprint. Here is a short list of some green features that you can consider while doing some routine updates to your home.

Energy Star Appliances - Energy Star rated products such as refrigerators, dishwashers and vent fans have advanced technology that use 10%-15% less energy and water than traditional ones.
Energy Star Windows - Energy Star windows help to keep heat inside during the winter months and outside during the summer months thereby reducing energy bills.
Compact Flourescent Light Bulbs - CFL's use 70% less energy than regular light bulbs and can save $30 or more in energy costs over the CFL's lifetime.
Toilets - On average, flushing toilets account for 30% of water use in the average home. New efficient toilets can reduce the water use by up to 25% using redesigned bowl tanks that use less water and function more efficiently.
Tankless Water Heaters - Tankless water heaters provide hot water on demand at preset temperatures rather than store it. Replacing an electric water heater with a solar model can reduce costs by up to 80% a year and reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
Insulation - Increasing the R-value and amount of insulation will help reduce heating and cooling bills, which account for at least half of the energy used in the home. If 10,000 people properly insulate their homes it would be the carbon reducing equivalent of planting 1,538,461 trees.
Flooring - Eco-friendly flooring is affordable and stylish. Bamboo, eucalyptus and cork are great alternatives to traditional hardwood floors as they mature in half the time.

For those of you who are a little more passionate and want to do even more, there is Home Performance with Energy Star which is an initiative sponsored by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities and New Jersey's Clean Energy Program. It offers state residents access to trained, certified home improvement contractors that work with homeowners to identify sources of wasted energy and help make money saving improvements. Check out their site to sign up for your home energy assessment.

You can talk to other homeowners about what green features they have implemented and what their results are. Also, contact a local or regional green building group. They can connect you to environmental architects and builders and inform you about different techniques and tax credits for your area. Ask your contractor about the criteria they follow and compare them to the National Association of Home Builders' guidelines. The NAHB covers everything from lot preparation to water conservation.

Still want more energy saving tips and ideas for a greener home? Check out these websites for more information.

Check back to find out what you can do to personally lower your own carbon footprint.

Going Green in the Home - It's Easier than You Think

2007-10-22T11:21:12Z

So now that you know what your town has been doing to go green, you may be asking yourself, "What can I do?" This next section will cover tips and suggestions that you can do for your home and as an individual.

Today we will start with the home.

What is a "Green Home"?

The U.S. Green Building Council defines a green home as one that:

Uses less energy
Uses less water
Creates less waste
Uses fewer natural resources in construction
Has better indoor air quality.

Why "Go Green"?

The benefits of a green home are lower energy and water bills, less exposure to mold, mildew and other toxins, and reduced greenhouse gas emissions. The cost of owning a green home is comparable to a traditional home because the expense of installing green features balances out with the savings from operating the energy-efficient products. According to the National Association of Home Builders' remodeling division, $230 billion was spent in 2006 remodeling homes, with a large amount of that going toward eco-friendly features. More than 25% of remodelers said consumers wanted environmentally friendly upgrades in 2006, compared to 6% in 2005.

Now that you know more about the benefits of going green, let's see how your home rates. Environmental impact calculators give different results using methods based on different numbers but they will give you an overall sense of your home's carbon footprint. Try some of these sites and see how green your home is.

Now that you have rated your home, do you feel that you can do more? Check back tomorrow for some solutions.

Going Green in New Providence, NJ

2007-10-19T08:33:40Z

An Independent Press Survey showed that local communities are putting more priority towards environmental issues. But some towns are doing more than others. Tune in all week to see how your town compares.

Today's community: New Providence, NJ

One of New Providence's top green priorities is the renovation of the Municipal Center. The project will include energy saving ideas such as solar energy or a possible co-generation.

Mayor John Thoms created the Environmental Advisory Committee this year. So far they have just focused on recycling efforts but have other programs in the works. One of their primary goals is to educate the residents on what they can do as individuals to go green. The committee is looking into working with local supermarkets to donate re-usable cloth shopping bags for charity re-sale.

The Borough is continuing its search for grants from the federal government to explore the possibility of generating its own electricity for the municipal buildings. They have also applied for a grant to build more sidewalks and bike lanes to encourage alternate modes of transportation.

So now that you know what your town has been doing to go green, what have you been doing? Starting next week, we will be posting tips and suggestions (both big and small) for around the house and for yourself.

Going Green in Madison, NJ

2007-10-18T12:39:14Z

Today's community: Madison, NJ

At the Hartley Dodge Memorial renovation, the old A/C system will be replaced by an environmentally friendly one. This new unit will re-circulate the cooling water thus making it more energy and cost efficient. At the Police and Fire Headquarters, construction plans included coated, tinted glass in all of the exterior windows to cut down on the heat build-up in the building. In the rest of the borough's buildings, efforts have been made to use fluorescent light bulbs.

The traffic lights have already been replaced with more energy efficient LED lights. Bikeways have been designed to promote cycling and there are a number of bike racks at the train station. There are also a number of shuttles that connect the train station to and from different businesses.

Tomorrow: New Providence, NJ

Going Green in Chatham Township, NJ

2007-10-17T12:27:01Z

Today's community: Chatham Township, NJ

Chatham Township is bordered by the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge and is well known for its greenness.

All last year, the Environmental Commission ran the 5^th annual Riverside Clean Up, 4^th annual Electronics Recycling Day as well as educational programs on pesticides and anti-idling. They also created a wildlife habitat out of a storm basin area at Southern Boulevard School.

The committee this year is now in the process of reviewing the current tree ordinance and working on ways to act on the Mayor's Climate Protection Agreement. They are also applying for a state grant to put in a bikeway from Southern Boulevard to Spring Street.

The Chatham Township Open Space Committee also presented its four year plan with one of its goals being to create a bikeway that will connect the many recreation sites. This will give the residents a safe and healthy way to travel to the parks and fields.

Tomorrow: Madison, NJ

Going Green in Chatham Borough, NJ

2007-10-16T08:20:48Z

Today's community: Chatham Borough, NJ

Due to Chatham's close proximity to the flat land of the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, it has already become a cycling hub. That's why the Morris County Division of Transportation suggested that more bike and pedestrian paths be created. The Chatham Borough Environmental Commission is already preparing a plan to create such paths.

The Borough Hall renovation project also incorporated some green ideas. The old A/C units were replaced with newer high efficiency ones, all exterior lights operate on timers and all interior lights are now energy saving fluorescents.

An application for funding for a new project will be presented at this fall's budget meeting. This new project would create a system to use recycled oil from borough vehicles to heat the Public Works Garage.

Chatham Borough already has an extensive recycling program in place and the school crossing signs on Lafayette and North Passaic run on solar power

Tomorrow: Chatham Township, NJ

Lois Schneider Realtor Halloween Croc Buttons are Here!!!

2007-10-15T11:20:19Z

For anyone who is in the Summit, NJ area, please stop by my office for a complimentary Lois Schneider Realtor Halloween Croc Button. They are really adorable and your kids will love to wear them and trade them.

My office is located in downtown Summit, NJ at 431 Springfield Avenue. Please mention this blog to the Receptionist when you come to pick up your free croc button.

First come first serve.

Going Green in Millburn/Short Hills, NJ

2007-10-15T09:01:04Z

Today's community: Millburn/Short Hills, NJ

A subcommittee of the Planning Board and Zoning Board of Adjustment has decided this is a good time to bring green concepts into building regulations and municipal land use ordinances with the proposed redevelopment project for Millburn's downtown area. Ideas to extend this effort include designing a green streetscape, using recycled rainwater, installing high efficiency lights and traffic signals and solar operated pedestrian signs.

Millburn also was one of the original members of the Mayor's Committee for a Green Future where local leaders have been meeting with representatives from other municipalities to discuss ways they can incorporate green concepts. Some of the ideas have been to purchase environmentally friendly cleaning products for the schools and to establish a tree planting program.

One of these programs has been the forest buffer for the Cora Hartshorn Arboretum. This spring representatives from the arboretum, the township's Shade Tree Department, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Natural Resources Conservation Service joined together to re-plant a forest buffer along the stream in the front of the arboretum. This buffer will be restored and maintained to protect the water quality and wildlife habitat. This project has been funded through a grant from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service which provides technical assistance, labor and materials.

The township has also purchased their first hybrid vehicle for forester, Tom Doty.

Tomorrow: Chatham Borough, NJ

Going Green in Summit, NJ

2007-10-12T10:28:19Z

Today's community: Summit, NJ

One of the first things Summit has done is set up a Sustainability Task Force to explore ways to make their city greener. They have recently submitted their report which includes a Green Master Plan and it can be viewed at Summit, NJ's website.

This fall, community meetings will be held to involve individuals in this growing trend with no-cost ways that can have an impact. One of these programs is the Mayor's Wellness Program that includes Walk-to-School Fridays, which has caused the installation of more sidewalks to encourage pedestrians.

Mayor Glatt has also signed the Mayors' Climate Protection Agreement along with 350 other mayors nationwide that support the Kyoto Protocol.

Alternate modes of transportation are being examined and promoted. More bicycle lockers have been installed at the train station, YMCA and library and a proposed bicycle route is being looked at to link Memorial Field, downtown Summit, Metro Homes Field, the Transfer Station and back.

This has caused the city to begin to take a community survey to determine Summit's carbon footprint. This will measure the use of electricity, oil and natural gas; make and model of cars; mileage and participation in JCP&L's Clean Power Choice Program.

In addition, a new recycling series has premiered this Summer on TV-36's Diane Klaif Presents. The shows topics will include helpful household recycling tips , discussions and interviews.

Finally, Summit has built its first official green building this Summer. It is the new PNC Bank on Springfield Avenue across from City Hall. Also, the school district is building its new Primary Centers through the LEED's program.

Tomorrow: Millburn/Short Hills, NJ