sinton: First Impression Counts: Maintaining Landscaping in a Drought - 07/22/12 11:09 PM
According to the National Drought Mitigation Center, drought conditions of moderate severity or worse exist in 53 percent of the United States, and there is little relief in sight. Whether you are environmentally conscious or must abide by community-imposed watering restrictions, most homeowners will need to limit the amount of water used to maintain their landscaping this summer. If you are selling your home and seeking to preserve curb appeal, this can be difficult. Here are some tips from HouseLogic contributor Lisa Kaplan Gordon to keep your trees and plants alive even despite water restrictions: •Move containers into the shade or … (0 comments)

sinton: Positive Signs! - 07/18/12 12:28 AM
Weichert Financial Services has recently rolled out the 203(k) Renovation Loan Program that allows Weichert Sales Associates the ability to expand inventory choices for homebuyers and help them more easily customize a home specifically to their needs.* The 203(k) Renovation Loan Program is perfect for customers looking to turn a house into a dream home or buy a home that’s in the right area to renovate; add/increase the size of bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchens and other living space; replace/upgrade the flooring, fixtures, bathroom, kitchen, appliances, heating, septic, plumbing and electrical systems; use low-cost financing to replace the aging roof, exterior, windows and … (1 comments)

sinton: Affordability is the Talk of the Town! - 04/02/12 12:33 AM
I am not sure if you heard, but the National Association of Realtors recently reported that its Housing Affordability Index reached a record high of 206.1 in January. This was the first month since the index began in 1970 that it has hit or surpassed 200.
To put it in perspective, houses are more affordable now than at any point in the last 42 years! What’s more, an index of 100 represents a median-income-earning family’s ability to exactly afford a median-priced, existing single-family home. Housing affordability is now double that.
Right now, all of these conditions are favorable for you if … (1 comments)

sinton: 22 Sherwood Court, Jackson NJ Open House Sunday 6/5/11 1-4pm - 06/02/11 01:33 AM
This mint-condition, 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath Camelot model is freshly painted and features recessed lighting, center-island eat-in kitchen, full basement, upgraded dimensional roof, 2-car attached garage, slider to the deck, upgraded 200-amp electrical, 9' ceilings, master suite with vaulted ceiling and oversized whirlpool tub, maintenance-free vinyl/stone exterior, newer wall-to-wall carpeting, central air, wood-burning fireplace, and too much more to list! 1-year home warranty also included! Absolutely no work to be done- Hurry, move right in and enjoy! … (0 comments)

sinton: Real Estate: It's time to buy again! - 03/30/11 02:22 AM
Finally some good news on the horizon! Fortune Magazine's Editor-At-Large, Shawn Tully, published an article that explains today's market, how we got here, and where it's going. In a nutshell, NOW is the time to buy because the market is in a state of correction and before too long, prices will again begin to rise.
As he states in his article, "Forget stocks. Don't bet on gold. After four years of plunging home prices, the most attractive asset class in America is housing."
While the market value of homes across the nation are still very low compared to that of a … (0 comments)

sinton: 22 Sherwood Court, Jackson, NJ 08527 - 02/28/11 12:23 PM
This mint-condition, 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath Camelot model is freshly painted and features recessed lighting, center-island eat-in kitchen, full basement, upgraded dimensional roof, 2-car attached garage, slider to the deck, upgraded 200-amp electrical, 9' ceilings, master suite with vaulted ceiling and oversized whirlpool tub, maintenance-free vinyl/stone exterior, newer wall-to-wall carpeting, central air, wood-burning fireplace, and too much more to list! 1-year home warranty also included! Absolutely no work to be done- Hurry, move right in and enjoy! … (0 comments)

sinton: 1 McKinley Drive, Ocean NJ 07712 - 02/25/11 07:02 AM
This two bedroom, two bath end-unit condo features large rooms, upgraded laminate floors, ceramic tile kitchen and baths, a full appliance package, wood-burning fireplace, wall-to-wall carpeting in the bedrooms, a master suite with a walk-in closet and upgraded full bath, eat-in kitchen, slider to private patio, central air, security system, private storage, and a one-car garage with ample overhead storage! Community features include a pool, clubhouse, tennis courts, exterior maintenance and too much more to list! All this, plus a one year home warranty is included! Minutes from the Garden State Parkway, beach, schools & shopping!
Michael Sinton, CRB, CRS, … (0 comments)

sinton: Weichert.Com remains trusted resource for potenial homebuyers and sellers - 02/23/11 02:18 AM
NEWS RELEASE: 2/22/2001
As consumers continue to grow accustomed to performing tasks online, the Internet has become a central part of the homebuying process. In fact, according to a 2010 National Association of Realtors survey, 89 percent of homebuyers used the Internet during their home search. In response, Weichert, Realtors' customer website Weichert.com has elevated its presentce to accomodate this evloution in consumer behavior.
Indicative of it's value to consumers, Weichert.com had more than 32 million visits in 2010. In addition, it consistently ranks as a top site among all real estate companies for the length of time that visitors spend … (0 comments)

sinton: Jackson Township... - 02/22/11 04:48 AM
A little bit about Jackson Township... Click to watch! … (0 comments)

sinton: Is Your Credit Score a "Score" or a "Rank"?? - 01/25/11 01:03 AM

Apparently there is a misconception out there that your credit score is just that; a basis of how you handle your credit, pay your bills, and your effort to stay on top of things. With this new economy that we've been thrust unwillingly into, that has apparently changed. It's not more-or-less a ranking of how you fit in with the ever-changing credit scores of the general population. The actual quote from a financial article is, "Your credit score is not a rating of your credit worthiness, but rather a ranking of your credit worthiness compared to the rest of the … (0 comments)

sinton: Still On The Fence?? - 01/05/11 04:12 AM
Looks like prices have not stopped falling in many areas of the country, although rates started to rise a bit. If you're in the market for a home, now is the time to get off the fence and make a move!! Check out this article for details.
For more information, contact Michael Sinton, CRB, CRS, SFR, e-Pro, Broker/Sales Associate, Weichert Realtors, directly at 732-904-3236, via email at Mike@MSinton.com.
… (0 comments)

sinton: It All Adds Up!! - 11/15/10 12:45 AM
As you search and tour homes that appeal to you, how can you be sure that the asking prices are in line with current values? Begin by asking your real estate agent to collect comparables and prepare a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA). This report indicates market trends by showing whether similar homes in the area are selling for above or below the asking price of the home(s) you've selected.
Using the comparables that your agent researched, you'll be able to figure the average cost per square foot for the area, and determine if the home you want compares favorably with those … (0 comments)

sinton: A Better Alternative... - 11/07/10 11:57 PM
Due to recent government incentives, short sales are becoming the darling of the distressed-property marketplace. A short sale keeps owners out of foreclosure, because the lenders allow the homeowners to sell their house for less than they owe. Banks have really sped up the process, hiring large numbers to serve the short sale specialty. In early 2010, one of the very largest banks had more than doubled the number of short sales it approved, sometimes as quickly as 24 days. Compare that to last year, when short sales stalled indefinitely or took more than six months to complete. The biggest roadblock … (0 comments)

sinton: Look Before You Leap! - 11/01/10 02:20 AM
If my recent column about the three types of foreclosures peaked your interest in making such a purchase, read on to learn a few of the common mistakes to avoid when you're ready to make an offer.
First, don't get caught up in a bidding frenzy. Banks may under-price their offering, hoping to generate multiple bids and sell quickly. Don't get overexcited - there's another foreclosure to bid on tomorrow!
Second, don't underestimate your repair costs. Carefully read the inspection report, and factor in an additional 10-20 percent of the purchase price for unexpected repairs.
Third, don't ignore the "comparables" for … (3 comments)

sinton: Salvaging Credit and Equity - 10/25/10 02:07 AM
The issue of pricing strategies was recently addressed here, particularly for facing moving deadlines or selling a home that's languishing on the market. But what if you're experiencing financial hardship or losing valuable equity in your home?
If you're facing mortgage default and want to avoid foreclosure, you're probably looking at a short sale, an agreement with your lender to sell your home for less than what you still owe. This pricing strategy is challenging, because you have to list high enough to satisfy the lender, but low enough to attract buyers.
First, complete a short sale application from your lender … (2 comments)

sinton: Multiple Choice!! - 10/18/10 02:51 AM
If you're looking for a bargain and considering purchasing a foreclosure, you'll first have to decide what kind of foreclosed property to pursue. The three categories are Pre-Foreclosure, Sherriff's Auction, and Repossession (or a bank-owned REO).
Pre-foreclosures are in the process, but have yet to be auctioned. Your offer will have to be negotiated with the lender as well as the owner, which makes the deal complicated and slow. Prices also tend to be highest in this category of foreclosures.
The lowest prices are found on properties that are being auctioned, but inspections are usually unavailable for these homes, and the … (0 comments)

sinton: Pricing Under Pressure... - 10/12/10 12:51 AM
Deciding on an asking price for your home is challenging enough these days, but you need specific pricing strategies for particular scenarios, especially if you're under pressure to move quickly or your home isn’t selling after being on the market for several months. Here are suggestions for both situations.
If you're facing a deadline due to job relocation or other reasons, then you need to price competitively, even more competitively than expected in today's market. You'll need to list at significantly less than your competition. Think 15% less. That may seem tough to stomach, but it’s better than continuing your monthly … (0 comments)

sinton: Smooth Sailing... - 10/04/10 01:43 AM
As a buyer, you want your offer to be accepted and your contract to close on schedule. However, in today's climate, you should expect some negotiation, and submit your offer with the following advice in mind.
The financing contingency in your offer will state your loan total and anticipated interest rate and approval date. Strongly consider locking in that rate with the lender, as rates are still very low, and you'll avoid any future fluctuations in the market.
Reserve funds now for your settlement costs at closing. Anticipate anywhere from 2% to 6% of the amount you're financing, plus your down … (1 comments)

sinton: Questions and Asnwers - 09/28/10 02:13 AM
We all know the mantra of real estate: location, location, location. The neighborhood is usually the most critical factor in determining a home’s value. When you begin your home search, you should create a list of criteria for the neighborhood in which you want to live, work, and play.
Ask yourself questions like how long is the commute to your workplace? Is an urban setting or a rural area more suited to your lifestyle? What is the crime profile for the neighborhoods that interest you?
How convenient is it to get to shopping centers, churches, schools? Speaking of schools, how is … (0 comments)

sinton: A Proactive Approach! - 09/20/10 05:42 AM
Typically, homeowners will spend weeks preparing their home for sale, rushing to repair the roof or drafty windows or electrical issues or old appliances (not to mention rushing to the bank to cover the costs of getting the home in model condition). However, there is another novel approach to making your home appeal to buyers, and it's called preventative maintenance.
In other words, starting from this day, look at your home as a prospective buyer would. If you would repair or improve certain features of your home for them, then why not for yourself?
Even new homeowners will one day find … (0 comments)