realtor in central new jersey: Coming to Terms with “Green” Terminology
- 07/05/12 02:13 PM
You may have noticed that Gil and I frequently blog about ideas for “green” living; it's something we believe in, and it's something that we believe will help to restore and maintain a healthy Earth for future generations. But there's a lot of confusion surrounding the marketing of products. For instance, what's the difference between “recyclable” and “biodegradable”? According to HouseLogic, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) – which sets the standards for the use of environmental claims – is creating the Green Guides to make your research a little easier and more consistent. Let's start with “organic,” because it's the only … (2 comments)
realtor in central new jersey: Fireworks and Your Pets
- 07/01/12 04:37 PM
Most folks here in central New Jersey will be enjoying fireworks displays during the next week as we celebrate Independence Day. If you're planning to host or take part in the festivities, and you have pets, you should take extra precautions to ensure their safety. Read on for some great tips that are easy to implement and that we hope you'll find helpful. Fireworks are beautiful to look at, but they also inevitably come with lots of noise. The fear of loud sounds – including fireworks - is called noise phobia. First, learn to recognize the signs of noise phobia, then … (2 comments)
realtor in central new jersey: Cool Ways to Fly Your Flag on July 4th
- 06/29/12 02:28 PM
Part of the celebration of the 4th of July here in central New Jersey – and around the country – is the flying of the American flag. We turned to the experts at HouseLogic for some great and innovative ideas for displaying your pride in the flag. Just one word of caution; be sure that whatever means you choose falls within your area's zoning rules and regulations. If you don't have a flag yet, get started with a complete set that includes a 3-by-5-foot U.S. flag, 6-foot steel pole, gold eagle ornament, and mounting bracket with screws for $9.98. For … (4 comments)
realtor in central new jersey: Keep Cool and Save Money with Ceiling Fans
- 06/27/12 02:19 PM
Did you know that a ceiling fan uses just a little more energy than a 100-watt light bulb? It's true! And despite the fact that it doesn't actually cool the room, you can still raise the thermostat while using a ceiling fan and remain comfortable. Why? Because the fan creates a slight wind chill on the surface of your skin, making you feel cooler. If you're planning to replace an existing overhead light fixture with a ceiling fan (which is a fairly easy task for most of us who are at least willing to try it!), read on for some tidbits … (0 comments)
realtor in central new jersey: What is a Green Mortgage?
- 06/22/12 01:52 PM
Two things seem to be on everyone's mind lately – the heat, and the fact that the landscape around us is at its peak “greenness.” Speaking of green, you know that Gil and I like to focus occasionally on ideas to help you live green, being environmentally conscientious. We recently came across an interesting article from Keeping Current Matters, all about the ways in which smart financing can help the environment. Beyond the paperless mortgage that can save trees, there are two loan products that can finance energy efficient improvements to your home. And both can be done at time of … (0 comments)
realtor in central new jersey: Rescue Your Plants from Heat Waves
- 06/21/12 02:08 PM
It's the first official full day of summer, but from the heat we're experiencing here in central New Jersey, you'd think it was the middle of August. Let's face it; you can’t turn off the sun. But you can turn on your hose and save your plants by watering wisely and well throughout the summer months. Follow these helpful tips from HouseLogic to keep your lawn lush and beautiful all summer long. Jim Sutton of Longwood Gardens in Pennsylvania has nursed shrubs and trees through several heat waves, and he offers four vital tips on how to help your landscaping beat … (2 comments)
realtor in central new jersey: Harvard Study: National Housing Market Showing Signs of Revival
- 06/20/12 03:40 PM
According to the Harvard University Joint Center of Housing Studies latest State of the Nation’s Housing report, an increase in the number of renters and a drop in new constructions are breathing a little much-needed life back into the rental market. Rent rates are increasing and vacancies are decreasing. Additionally, construction of multifamily units is increasing. This news is cause for cautious optimism in the housing market, especially as it slowly regains ground in a sluggish overall national economy. The depressed economy continues to plague rates of home ownership, and the report finds that the homeowner market still needs some work. … (0 comments)
realtor in central new jersey: Happy Father's Day!
- 06/16/12 04:58 AM
It's Father's Day weekend – a time for all of us to honor Dad and let him know that he's the best. Gil and I extend best wishes to all of our friend, family, and client dads. Instead of making that last-minute dash to the local cram-packed mall, fighting fellow shoppers for the last “perfect” tie, relax and base your gift on the best advice from almost every dad we know: Actions speak louder than words. Think about it; we did, and we got some terrific ideas from HouseLogic on what to give Dad in place of yet another “World's Greatest” … (3 comments)
realtor in central new jersey: Lawn Mowing – It Can Be Dangerous!
- 06/14/12 04:58 AM
School's out, and that means more and more of our kids around the country will be mowing lawns. According to HouseLogic, three national medical groups want adults to be aware of the fact that lawn mowing can be a risky (and downright dangerous!) activity, and they've gathered some handy information regarding the proper safety precautions to be taken. Follow these handy tips to prevent lawn mower injures: Only use a mower with a control that stops the mower blade from moving if the handle is let go. Kids should be at least 12 years old before operating a push lawn … (2 comments)
realtor in central new jersey: Supply and Demand are the Drivers for Home Prices
- 06/07/12 03:06 PM
Gil and I, like the folks over at Keeping Current Matters, believe that the real estate market will continue to heat up as we move fully into summer. The question is this: Will an increase in demand be reflected in an increase in home prices? We've noted before that the price for anything is dictated by the demand for that thing AND the available supply of it at any given time. Here are a couple of pretty intriguing facts reported by the National Association of Realtors (NAR) in last month’s Existing Home Sales Report: Demand for homes has strengthened, showing … (0 comments)
realtor in central new jersey: It's Time to Go Green – and Do It On the Cheap!
- 05/31/12 04:18 PM
Our regular readers know that Gil and I are strong proponents of “going green” - living in an environmentally conscientious way to make the world a better place not just for us, but for future generations as well. We recently came across a terrific piece by Lara Edge at HouseLogic, in which she highlighted some awesome ideas for ways to live green without being made of gold. Why do we say that? Well, because almost everything we hear and see about living green involves buying things like solar panels or Energy Star appliances. And while those purchases are undoubtedly important, there … (3 comments)
realtor in central new jersey: What Causes a Deal to Fall Apart?
- 05/30/12 07:13 PM
The housing market is still what we'd call “iffy” at this point, although there are strong signs of recovery here in central New Jersey and around the country. Gil and I were really pleased recently when we read a piece at Keeping Current Matters about the reasons why many signed contracts (some folks speculate as much as 30%!) never make it to closing. We thought our readers might be curious to know why – in a country where a “healthy” market sees around 90% of deals successfully closed – there would be such a precipitous drop during rough times. We figure … (4 comments)
realtor in central new jersey: Final Words on the Differences Between Short Sales and Foreclosures
- 05/25/12 03:29 PM
This week we've been having a discussion based on Keeping Current Matters' discussion of short sales and a lot of the myths surrounding them. Gil and I are committed to helping our friends and neighbors understand the many differences between a short sale and a foreclosure. We began with a definition of a “short sale;” in the simplest of terms, it's when the bank that holds your mortgage agrees to accept less than the amount you owe on the property, in order to avoid foreclosing on it. We noted that you have to qualify for a short sale, which essentially … (3 comments)
realtor in central new jersey: Wrapping Things Up: Finishing Your Spring Cleaning
- 05/18/12 03:34 PM
This week, we've been talking about quick tips for spring cleaning. Summer is right around the corner, and you'll want to spend as much time as possible outdoors, enjoying our central New Jersey sunshine. But nobody wants to close out a fun day of playing by coming into a house that's less than fresh, right? Those of you planning to sell your home in the coming months know that a top-to-bottom cleaning is an absolute must. Today, we're continuing to share some tips from HouseLogic for making the most of your cleaning efforts. We've covered the kitchen and bathroom, as … (0 comments)
realtor in central new jersey: Moving Forward with More Spring Cleaning
- 05/17/12 04:31 PM
Yesterday, we began a discussion providing tips for spring cleaning. As someone pointed out, we're already about a month from the official beginning of summer. They're right! But a lot of us (Gil and I included!) have been dragging our feet, and we decided that there must be others like us here in central New Jersey. Remember, if you're selling your home, it's absolutely critical that you give it a top-to-bottom cleaning. Even if you're not selling, it's time to get your place ready for spur-of-the-moment summer barbeques and croquet games! Today, we're continuing to share some tips from HouseLogic … (1 comments)
realtor in central new jersey: It's Time to Start Your Spring Cleaning!
- 05/16/12 04:00 PM
You may have been delaying the inevitable, but the time has come to give your house a top-to-bottom spring cleaning. If you're selling your home, it's essential; if you're not, it's still a critical task! There's no better end to a day spent outdoors in the sunshine than coming in to a house that's clean and tidy, so let's get to it. This week, we'll share some great tips from HouseLogic for making the most of your cleaning efforts; today, let's get started with the kitchen and the bathroom. Begin by declutteringyour cabinets and drawers. Donate or toss anything you don’t … (2 comments)
realtor in central new jersey: What's a QM – And Why Should I Care?
- 05/03/12 05:00 PM
We've often discussed the difference between the cost and the price of buying a home. Price is clearly a critical piece of the overall cost. But what about available financing? Well, we agree with the folks at Keeping Current Matters; available financing is the other crucial piece. Right now, the federal government is making major decisions regarding house financing moving forward. These decisions could negatively impact many buyers, including implementation of the new term, "QM." But what exactly IS a QM? The term is short for qualified mortgage, and it's a product of the newly developed Bureau of Consumer Financial … (10 comments)
realtor in central new jersey: Cool Ideas for Increasing Curb Appeal
- 05/02/12 02:04 PM
Now that spring is well underway, Gil and I would like to welcome all of our fellow central New Jersey home owners back to our blog after a brief hiatus. We've got a new schedule – we'll be posting every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday – so be sure to bookmark us and come back frequently! Whether you're planning to sell your home this season, or you'd just like to improve your curb appeal for the approaching summer months, sprucing up your property is always a terrific idea. According to HouseLogic, it's also a fact that most of us would rather … (1 comments)
realtor in central new jersey: Fannie Mae's 2012 First Quarter National Housing Survey
- 04/04/12 01:05 PM
Gil and I always look forward to the quarterly release of Fannie Mae's National Housing Survey. The latest report is out, and we turned to our friends at Keeping Current Matters for a look at some of the survey's most important and interesting findings. It was great to learn that 84% of Americans think that owning a home makes more sense than renting. Financial issues always seem to be the top concerns when it comes to home ownership, but the Fannie Mae study shows that the four main reasons for buying a home today don't have anything to do with money … (1 comments)
realtor in central new jersey: Why Should You Pay a Real Estate Commission?
- 03/07/12 09:55 AM
Gil and I read a terrific piece on Keeping Current Matters today, and we think it may help to answer a common question about real estate commissions. KCM asked whether it makes sense, in today's market, to pay your real estate agent a full commission. There's definitely a lot of debate out there about this question. Consumers are dependent on a real estate professional to help them attain their goals in a sale or a purchase. That process used to be simple. Today, a person looking to buy or sell should be willing to pay a full fee for these … (2 comments)
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You may have noticed that Gil and I frequently blog about ideas for “green” living; it's something we believe in, and it's something that we believe will help to restore and maintain a healthy Earth for future generations.
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