chris hooks: Introducing........"Billy The Kid" - 03/02/11 03:51 PM
Introducing........"Billy The Kid"
I lost my blogging 'mojo' on Jan. 14th when I had to say goodbye to my dear pup, Rhondo. 
It's a long winding story better left for another day, but I am happy to announce to my blog friends that there is now the 'pitter-patter' of little feet again in my household. 
"Billy"
He joined us almost a month ago.  He was found abandoned on the side of a busy interstate in the next county over from me......on a snowy, bitter cold evening.  He was only five pounds when he was saved.  In this photo, taken at the … (7 comments)

chris hooks: "Red and Yellow and Pink and GREEN......." - 02/27/11 02:09 PM
"Red and Yellow and Pink and GREEN......."
......purple and orange and blue.  I can sing a rainbow, sing a rainbow, sing a rainbow tune.
When I was a little girl, I used to sing these words, following the lead of  Captain Noah, almost every Saturday morning.  Captain and Mrs. Noah  hosted a popular, weekly children's program in the Philadelphia area. 
I was and continue to be a fan.
The song pointed out how beautiful all the colors of a rainbow are.  And they are.
BUT - hasn't the color GREEN taken on a new place in our mind's eye?  Hasn't the color GREEN … (3 comments)

chris hooks: Year End Real Estate Statistics - Salem County, NJ - 2010 - 02/02/11 03:29 PM
Year End Real Estate Statistics - Salem County, NJ - 2010
Salem County Real Estate Statistics 
                                                2009                            2010                            Change 
Settled Units                              459                             390                            -15.03%
Average Settled                        $166,000                     $158,000                     -4.82%
Total Settled Volume                  $76,317,000                $61,627,000                -19.25%
 
 
Individual Township Statistics  
                             Settled                                    Average Settled         Days-On-Market 
Alloway                     16                                 $209,462                       142
Carneys Point             49                                 $144,351                       119
Elmer                         11                                 $183,272                       67
Elsinboro                   14                                  $167,064                       206
LAC                            5                                   $183,600                       144
Mannington                3                                   $188,166                       66
Oldmans                    13                                 $174,626                       112
PennsGrove               22                                 $71,759                         107
Pennsville                  100                               $145,058                       117
Pilesgrove                  20                                 $273,072                      137
Pittsgrove                  49                                 $197,744                      124
Quinton                     11                                  $196,131                      102
Salem                        20                                  $41,553                        77
Upper Pittsgrove        12                                  $192,241                      178
Woodstown                27                                 $217,451                       183
 
 
… (1 comments)

chris hooks: Blogging Comes From My Heart - 02/01/11 05:21 PM
Blogging Comes From My Heart
That explains why I've been silent for a few weeks. 
I lost my little buddy, Rhondo, on January 13th, 2011. 
I've had dogs all of my life.  Well, since since sixth grade, anyway. 
There was Herby, Lady, Lilly, Butter and then came Rhondo. (For the record, Butter is now living in Philadelphia with my youngest daughter and visits from time-to-time.) 
While out walking the day after losing Rhondo, I heard myself *sighing* after nearly every other step.  I was so full of woe, I didn't think I would be able to complete my walk.
After a half-mile, I … (5 comments)

chris hooks: WET PAINT! - 01/13/11 03:54 PM

WET PAINT!
In an earlier post, I relayed a pleasant shopping experience at Shimp's Tru Value Hardware Store, in Pennsville, NJ. 
I left the store as a satisfied customer.  When I crossed the threshold of my home, I turned into one of the many who tried their best to choose a paint color from a paper swatch only to wonder later, "What Have I Done????"
(I will neither confirm nor deny that I once painted and repainted a red metal door a total of four times!)
 
I had envisioned a slate blue room. 
When I began to show the … (14 comments)

chris hooks: "The Coldwell Banker Story" - part one - 01/12/11 07:49 AM
My Broker, Joseph F. Pino, has been in the Real Estate business since 1969.  He used to joke around that he would never buy into a franchise.  His favorite comment was, "They should pay me for the use of my name!"
That all changed in 1996-1997, when Coldwell Banker began to court Mr. Pino.  They did, in fact, want to use his name -- after their name of course.  That is when 'The Coldwell Banker Pino Agency' was formed.  I remember those days.  There was much to do to change from an independent agency to a franchise.  When I tell you, … (3 comments)

chris hooks: The Challenge Gone Awry - 01/08/11 11:22 AM
The Challenge Gone Awry
I am enrolled in the 31 Day Challenge of January for Active Rain.  This is the first challenge that I have ever participated in and I have been extremely excited about it.
So excited that someone told me last week that my eyes lit up when I said, "....and I'll get 3,000 points!!" 
I knew my eyes lit up.....I could feel them do so. 
As often happens, something unexpected happened.  My dear little dog, Rhondo, took ill.  I had gone to Nags Head for New Year's weekend and when I returned, he just didn't 'seem right'.  He … (14 comments)

chris hooks: I Love To Shop Local - Shimp's True Value Hardware, Pennsville, NJ 08070 - 01/05/11 12:44 PM
I Love To Shop Local - Shimp's True Value Hardware, Pennsville, NJ  08070
Tomorrow I'm starting a little project at my house.  One of the bedrooms is in need of some fresh paint. 
I stopped into Shimp's True Value Hardware store this afternoon to pick up some Kilz, white semi-gloss for the trim and a nice slate grey wall color.
It was so convenient to take a short break, drive a bit down the road and pick up everything needed for the job.  I was back to work in less than thirty minutes! (and let me tell you, it's a SNAP to have … (5 comments)

chris hooks: This Is Me......Being Brave. - 01/04/11 02:41 PM

This Is Me......Being Brave.
I am making myself accountable.......to all of you.  This is me being brave.  This is my office.  I don't use my office, I just put things in there.  As you can see, I don't put things away in there. I'd like to use my office.
One of my 5 business resolutions is to declutter, organize and color code this office.  I plan to work on it at least 15 minutes each day.....beginning tomorrow.
No, really.....I'll begin tomorrow.
You have no idea how difficult it is for me to post this picture.  I'll post another next Tuesday.
… (7 comments)

chris hooks: Considering Bankruptcy? What Is The First Step? - 01/04/11 11:22 AM
Considering Bankruptcy?  What Is The First Step?
The new year brings the desire for fresh starts.  Many people start a new diet.  A lot of folks begin exercise regimens.  Others are happy to de-clutter those halls that were so recently 'decked'. 
Finances are another source of resolutions:  Retirement Savings, Balancing checkbooks, Organizing Bills, Obtaining health insurance, Refinancing a mortgage, Paying off a car loan, Making sense of it all......
Financial good health has so many aspects to it.  What if someone can't see his or her way out of a tough spot?  Exactly where should they start?
In the State of New Jersey, … (0 comments)

chris hooks: 'V' Is For Victory! - 01/04/11 06:22 AM
'V' Is For Victory!
Today at 4pm, I am settling on 847 Main Street, Lower Alloways Creek Township, Salem County, NJ.  I've been working on this since May, 2009. 
Nearly 8 months.....
When I began this journey with my Buyer, Main Street was actually one of my competitor's listings.  Just after I showed it, her listing expired.  I questioned it, but didn't worry about it.  Fair is fair.  She deserved to be included in the commission even though she was not communicating very well....at all.  In fact, she was very negative about our chances for success. 
Have you ever heard that expression, "Don't … (2 comments)

chris hooks: "Me, too" - 01/02/11 03:28 AM
"Me, too"
I called all of my family members on New Year's Eve to wish them a happy night and a wonderful year.  I called my best friends, too.  That meant I placed somewhere between 8 and 10 calls.  My family isn't awfully large.
For my younger nieces and nephews, I figured text messages would suffice.  Although the text messages seem a little cold to me, that is how their generation prefers to communicate.  The younger ones seemed genuinely pleased to hear from their 'Aunt Chris'.
It was important to me to pass along some good thoughts for 2011.  It was … (7 comments)

chris hooks: Available Rental in Salem, NJ 08079 - 12/30/10 04:14 AM
Available Rental in Salem, NJ  08079
83 Chestnut Street, Salem, NJ  08079
This spacious one-half of a duplex is available immediately for rent - $975 per month. (already approved for HUD Section 8 tenants) 
Three bedrooms, two full baths, full basement, livingroom, diningroom w/built in hutch and a cozy yard.  Oil heat, city trash pickup. 
The attentive landlord will make your rental experience less-stressful.
Rental application fee $25, references required.
Call Chris Hooks, 856-628-2710, for more details or to schedule your personal tour.
 
… (0 comments)

chris hooks: Our Deepest Fear Is Not That We Are Inadequate - 12/29/10 04:49 PM
"Our Deepest Fear Is Not That We Are Inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us.
We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous?'
Actually, who are you not to be?
You are a child of God.
Your playing small doesn't serve the world.
There is nothing enlightened about shrinking
So that other people won't feel insecure around you;
We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.
It's not just in some of us;  it's in … (3 comments)

chris hooks: New Commercial Listing! 257 Division Street, Carneys Point, NJ 08069 - 12/29/10 04:08 PM

New Commercial Listing!
257 Division Street, Carneys Point, NJ
This 5,000 sq. ft. +/- warehouse/retail space is nestled near a residential neighborhood in the cozy town of Carneys Point, NJ.
It has much to offer as there is a well-planned mix of both storage areas and retail space.  LOTS of parking, too!
Romansky's Variety Sales has successfully operated by former Olympic racewalker, Dave Romansky, in this location for over a decade.  His athletic drive has been applied to his office supply/variety sales business.  The business is also available for purchase for an additional fee of $25,000.
What a terrific opportunity!  Call Chris … (2 comments)

chris hooks: My Top 5 Real Estate Lessons From 2010 - 12/27/10 03:31 PM
My Top 5 Real Estate Lessons From 2010
Well, here we are at the end of another year.  2010 marks the end of my 18th year in the Real Estate business.  Each year is special due to the customers and clients that I am fortunate to represent.  The years are also special because of the terrific agents that I am lucky to work alongside.  This is a competitive business, for sure, but the reality is that agents need each other to accomplish the majority of our transactions. 
Oh sure, a single agent can secure Buyer leads and Seller leads all by … (5 comments)

chris hooks: Predictions For The New Year? I'll Show You Mine...... - 12/22/10 07:48 AM
Predictions For The New Year?  I'll Show You Mine......
I received the enewsletter today from Lowe's.  These newsletters are pretty informative.  The lead articles include 'Top 10 Real Estate Predictions For The New Year.'  It caught my eye.  After the roller coaster of 2010, I would love for someone to tell me what is going to happen in 2011!
So, I read it over.  The predictions seem reasonable enough.  It inspired my brain to come up with several predictions of my own for 2011.
Here are Chris' Top 5 Real Estate Predictions for my market area of Salem County, NJ
1)  Home prices will continue … (3 comments)

chris hooks: "60 Websites in 60 Minutes!" - 12/21/10 05:36 PM
"60 Websites in 60 Minutes!"
A few weeks ago I sat in on a pretty interesting workshop with the above title.  It was fun, fast-paced and most of all, informative.  The teacher's name is Linda Davis.  She's a Realtor with ReMax Realty Group in Gales Ferry, CT.  I found Linda's class to be one of my favorites for 2010.  I'm hoping you find her information helpful, too!
Apparently, she constantly and continuously updates her list of 60 in 60. 
One of my favorites was a site that tells you the best seats on the airplanes.  So, if you're planning on a … (7 comments)

chris hooks: Here You Go, Brad! - 12/19/10 11:59 AM
Here You Go, Brad!
I heard that Brad Andersohn of Active Rain wanted us all to go back and review our first blog post here in the rain.  To tell you the truth, I was a little hesitant to do so.  I was afraid it would be embarrassing!
Here it is for any of you who would like to take a peek.  (be nice!)
I'm not sure what the point is of this exercise. (Will it help with AR's google juice to bring these old writings some new attention?) 
Perhaps those of us who participate will receive some POINTS????  (a girl … (7 comments)

chris hooks: The Victor - 12/12/10 04:41 PM
I happened upon this beautiful poem and thought it worthy of sharing.  If you've seen it before, you just might like reading it again.  If you've never seen it......enjoy.
Have a GREAT day, everyone!

"The Victor" Poet: C.W. Longenecker
If you think you are beaten, you are. If you think you dare not, you don’t If you like to win but think you can’t, It’s almost a cinch you won’t. If you think you’ll lose, you’re lost. For out in the world we find Success begins with a fellow’s will It’s all in the state of mind. If you … (0 comments)