Vanessa's Blog

Historical Society of Princeton

Vanessa Krempa — Wed, 28 May 2008 00:12:52 -0700

How many times have you walked down Nassau Street and passed right by the white building with a sign on the front advertising the Historical Society of Princeton, wondering what was inside but decided to skip the visit? Well, I went inside the Bainbridge House and discovered, to my delight, a wonderful exhibit on the history of Princeton. There were many photos and much commentary on the creation of the Boro and local history. The museum and gift shop is open to the public Tuesday through Sunday, 12pm-4pm. There is no admission fee. The library is open to the public Tuesdays and Saturdays, 1pm-4pm. I encourage you to take advantage of the many free services that Historical Society of Princeton offers. On May 30th at 3pm there is a free museum tour led by a curator. No reservations required, so come on out and learn a little more about Princeton! Here is a link to their website for additional information on the society and the exhibits, tours and programs they offer. http://www.princetonhistory.org

America's Top High Schools- 2008

Vanessa Krempa — Thu, 22 May 2008 05:02:49 -0700

Newsweek just published their top public high schools for 2008. I thought I'd post the rankings for the NJ schools that were included in the list. The ranking is devised by taking the number of Advanced Placement type tests taken by all the students in 2007 divided by the number of graduating seniors. Other statistics were included in the 'official' report, however for simplicity I am only including the ranking.

Ranking	School Name	Location
30	McNair Academic	Jersey City
132	Ridge	Basking Ridge
138	Princeton	Princeton
147	Millburn	Millburn
250	Cresskill	Cresskill
422	Holmdel	Holmdel
433	Summit	Summit
510	Bernards	Bernardsville
519	West Windsor-Plainsboro South	Princeton Junction
531	Ridgewood	Ridgewood
561	Chatham	Chatham
623	West Morris Mendham	Mendham
687	Governor Livingston	Berkeley Heights
704	Mainland Regional	Linwood
710	High Tech	North Bergen
730	Glen Ridge	Glen Ridge
768	West Morris Central	Chester
774	Kinnelon	Kinnelon
779	Cranford	Cranford
813	Haddonfield	Haddonfield
829	Mountain Lakes	M.L.
839	Westfield	Westfield
861	Northern Highlands	Allendale
865	Montclair	Montclair
884	Watchung Hills	Warren
915	West Windsor-Plainsboro North	Plainsboro
962	Cherry Hill East	Cherry Hill
978	Ocean Township	Oakhurst
1091	Voorhees	Glen Gardner
1103	Hackensack	Hackensack
1104	Bridgewater-Raritan	Bridgewater
1109	Demarest	Demarest
1132	Old Tappan	Old Tappan
1158	East Brunswick	East Brunswick
1165	Wayne Valley	Wayne
1237	River Dell	Oradell
1248	Columbia	Maplewood
1257	Wayne Hills	Wayne
1270	Arthur L. Johnson	Clark
1342	Cherry Hill West	Cherry Hill
1347	John P. Stevens	Edison
1351	Rumson-Fair Haven	Rumson

Excluded from the ranking were certain high schools that were excluded because they were deemed high performers and the ranking is recognize schools that challenge the average student. The schools excluded in NJ were: Bergen County Academies, Hackensack: A collection of seven career-focused academies where students attend an extended school day. High Technology High, Lincroft: Selective school whose students focus on a science, math and technology curriculum. Union County Magnet, Scotch Plains: Selective admission for a school that focuses on science, math and technology.

Designer Showhouse and Gardens XV

Vanessa Krempa — Sun, 18 May 2008 02:09:01 -0700

If you enjoy stepping back in time by visiting older homes, please consider visiting the Junior League of Greater Princeton (JLGP) Designer Showhouse & Gardens XV. The home, commissioned in 1933, has been completely redecorated by some of the area's top designers and the gardens have been revitalized. This is a fundraiser to support JLGP programs, which benefit women and children in need. The main community impact project is ROCKETS, Raising Our Children's Knowledge Through Science, which is literacy program aimed at improving the math and science skills of at-risk, pre-school children. So, come out to see a beautiful home and support a great cause! The home is open for tours through May 25th. Location The Ridge House 226 Drakes Corner Road, Princeton Hours Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday, from 10AM to 4PM Friday, 10AM to 8PM Sunday, 12PM to 5PM Tickets $25 at the door.

Commercial Property for Sale in Pennington, NJ

Vanessa Krempa — Thu, 15 May 2008 06:37:58 -0700

Great location with endless potential! This site offers over 21 acres of C-1 and additional acres zoned OCC. Current structures include house and garage buildings, which are being sold in as is condition. The zoning allows the owner a wide range of permitted uses ranging from banks, restaurants, medical clinics, retail and service as well as office and child care centers.

Commercial Property for Sale in Titusville, NJ

Vanessa Krempa — Thu, 15 May 2008 05:18:58 -0700

Great opportunity! Take advantage of 410 ft of Highway frontage in Hopewell Township. Located on scenic Route 29 between Trenton and Lambertville. Priced below assessed value! Current and past uses have included car sales, RV sales, equipment sales and more. Zoning of C1 allows for a wide range of occupants. This heavily trafficked roadway could be just the ticket for vintage cars, motorcycles, repair shops or a variety of recreational uses. This amazing property overlooks the Delaware canal and is convenient to just about everywhere.

Palmer Square West Association Fees and Parking Options

Vanessa Krempa — Fri, 09 May 2008 08:20:11 -0700

For 2008, Palmer Square West Association dues include the following: Water Hot Water Heat Trash Removal Sewer Snow Removal Landscaping in Common Areas Common Areas Maintenance Management Fees Common Areas Insurance Common Areas Repair and Maintenance Reserve Other items as determined by annual budget Parking for residents is available at the Chambers Street and Hulfish Street parking lots for the discounted rate of $155/month. (Non-residents monthly parking permits cost $190/month) Palmer Square West Management Office can be contacted at 609-921-2333 with any questions.

Palmer Square West Complex Information

Vanessa Krempa — Thu, 08 May 2008 10:17:37 -0700

Palmer Square West consists of 107 residential units, broken down as follows:

Type	Quantity
Studios	53
One Bedroom/Oversized Studio	25
Three Bedrooms/Oversized Two Bedrooms	16
Four Bedrooms/Oversized Three Bedrooms	11
Five Bedrooms/Oversized Four Bedrooms	1
Duplex	1

Dues range from $247.70-$770/month depending on the unit size.Capital contributions at close are equal to twice the unit's association dues.Dues information confirmed for 2008 with Palmer Square West Management.

Palmer Square- Affordable Housing Announced

Vanessa Krempa — Thu, 01 May 2008 23:28:34 -0700

Palmer Square Management LLC has announced that they will be leasing four units at a discounted rate established by New Jersey Low and Moderate Income Housing Program. Typically, a one-bedroom apartment in Palmer Square can be leased for $1,700-$2,000/month, depending on the lease term and situations. For those who qualify and receive one of these allocated apartments, the monthly rent is anticipated to be approximately $885/month. Two of the three one-bedroom apartments have been leased, the third one-bedroom apartment is being reviewed by a potential tenant. The remaining unit, a studio, is still available for rent at $834/month.

Princeton Homes- Revaluation Extension Period Announced

Vanessa Krempa — Thu, 01 May 2008 23:14:02 -0700

It was announced last week that Princeton Township and Princeton Boro will have a one year extension on their property revaluation excercise. Originally, the revaluation was expected to be completed by 2009. The municipalities have elected not to approve the current bids for revaluation and allow for more time to ensure that properties receive proper attention in this matter. The new timeline for completion is expected to run through 2010.

Mercer County Statistics, January-March 2008

Vanessa Krempa — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 07:52:34 -0700

Information Courtesy of Vanessa F Krempa

Prudential New Jersey Properties

Please contact for questions- VanessaKrempa@PruNewJersey.com or 609-947-0099

January-March 2008 Market Activity for Mercer County

Based on information from TReND for the period January 1 through March 31, 2008.

CITY	SOLD	ACTIVE	WITHDRAWN	EXPIRED	Grand Total
Allentown	0	1	1	0	2
Cranbury	2	8	0	1	11
East Windsor	45	101	20	17	183
Ewing	55	109	29	31	224
Hamilton	128	298	44	71	541
Hamilton Square	11	21	2	7	41
Hightstown	13	38	12	8	71
Hopewell	7	26	5	7	45
Lambertville	2	2	0	0	4
Lawrenceville	45	134	25	32	236
Mercerville	5	9	1	2	17
Pennington	23	38	19	11	91
Princeton	58	125	25	13	221
Princeton Junction	13	38	7	2	60
Robbinsville	24	95	10	18	147
Skillman	1	0	0	0	1
Titusville	6	7	4	1	18
Trenton	98	312	83	201	694
West Trenton	3	4	1	1	9
West Windsor	23	45	3	6	77
Windsor	0	2	0	0	2
Yardville	4	15	3	1	23
Grand Total	566	1,428	294	430	2,718

SOLD=	Properties that sold in above referenced time period
ACTIVE=	Properties that were listed in above referenced time period
WITHDRAWN=	Previously listed properties that did not sell and were taken off the market in above referenced time period
EXPIRED=	Previously listed properties that did not sell and listing agreement with an agent expired in above referenced time period

For Sale: Studio on Nassau Street- Cozy and Convenient!

Vanessa Krempa — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 23:00:55 -0700

Move right in and take advantage of all Princeton has to offer! Located in the heart of Princeton's Central Historic District, this Palmer Square studio provides you quick access to the shops and restaurants within Princeton Borough. Take a walk across the street to tour Princeton University or visit McCarter Theater to attend one of their 200 performances each year. Princeton is home to many art, dance and theater organizations, offering convenient, quality entertainment, much within walking distance. A short walk will take you to the train connection for The New Jersey Transit and Amtrak. The key is convenience! This cozy, sunny studio boasts lots of character and timeless charm, featuring wonderful woodwork and a beautiful brick fireplace with wood mantel. The Pullman kitchen has been completely updated and features cherry cabinetry, a granite counter top as well as stainless steel appliances. Beautiful, natural light makes this a bright, cheery space. Facing Nassau Street, the studio provides a bird's eye view of Princeton University. Residents have access to a laundry facility available only to Palmer Square West residents. Residents also enjoy access to the private, serene courtyard terrace with seating and a fountain to enjoy a sunny, relaxing afternoon. Call Vanessa F Krempa with Prudential New Jersey Properties for more information Mobile: 609-947-0099 Office: 609-430-1288, x 542

General Princeton Information

Vanessa Krempa — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 03:48:38 -0700

For those interested in moving to the Princeton, NJ area, there are several on-line resources for you to investigate.Princeton newspapersThe Town Topics is available every Wednesday and is available through subscription or sold at the following locations:Princeton McCaffrey's, Cox's, Kiosk (Palmer Square), Krauszer's (State Road), Olive May Natural Foods, Speedy Mart (State Road), Wawa (University Place)Hopewell Village ExpressRocky Hill Wawa (Route 518)Pennington Pennington MarketPortions are also available on-line at http://www.towntopics.com/ The Princeton Packet is available every Tuesday and Friday through subscription or sold through out town. Portions are also available on-line at http://www.packetonline.com/Township and Boro InformationPrinceton is comprised of the Township and The Borough.The township's website is http://www.princetontwp.org/The Boro's website is http://www.princetonboro.org/The Princeton Regional Convention and Vistors Bureau's website is http://www.visitprinceton.org General Princeton information is also available at http://www.princetonol.com/General Princeton Public School information can be found at http://www.prs.k12.nj.us/ Princeton University's website is http://www.princeton.edu/main/ General Mercer County Information For those interested in learning about Mercer County, please check out http://nj.gov/counties/mercer/

Advice in the Current Market

Vanessa Krempa — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 10:27:11 -0700

It's what we've been saying about the current market:1- This is a great time to trade up. If this is what a current homeowner is trying to do, then selling their current home for a modest price (relative to the last two years) is a small price to pay to purchase a larger home at a relatively modest price (again, compared to the last two years). A 10% reduction in a current home worth $100M is only $10M, but 10% on a $200M house is $20M. 2- This is a great time for first time buyers. Renters have a great opportunity to take some time and find the right property and purchase a home they want to be in for a few years. It's better to not view it as a quick investment to be sold in the near future.3- Potential second homes or investment properties that will turn into second homes. There is great inventory, see what's out there.I just saw an on-line Yahoo! news article on this and thought 'Gee, this is what we've been telling clients 2008 is like'. Why is the media so slow to report this? It's harder to explain this to clients when clients think the media is telling them conflicting advice or assessments.

Palmer Square West Information for Potential/Current Landlords

Vanessa Krempa — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 00:06:41 -0700

People interested in purchasing investment properties in Palmer Square West in Princeton Boro should be aware of the requirements. Here is some helpful advice.Landlords must register the property (free of charge) with Princeton Boro Municipality. The documentation can be obtained by contacting the Bureau of Fire Safety & Housing Inspection at (609) 497-7646. If the property has never been registered (with a previous owner that rented the property out), then the initial registration also requires an inspection, which costs $175. If the property requires re-inspections, additional fees apply. Once a property is registered, then it becomes included in the Palmer Square West inspection cycle every 2.5 years. This inspection follows the same pricing as mentioned above. If the property was previously registered as a rental property with the Boro and is already included in the inspection cycle, then there is no immediate cost (except for normal inspection fees in alignment with the inspection cycle). However, the registration must be updated. The property does not require a Certificate of Smoke Detector, Carbon Monoxide or Kitchen Fire Extinguisher at change of ownership or occupancy provided the property is properly registered with the Boro. The property does not require a Certificate of Occupancy or Sewer Permit.As 2008 is re-inspection year and failure to register the property with the Boro can result in $100 fine plus normal inspection fees, all landlords should ensure their property is in compliance.Please note that this information does not apply to one or two family homes being used for rentals located in the Boro.If you have any questions regarding this post, please don't hesitate to contact me.

Informative, Light-Hearted Reading

Vanessa Krempa — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 20:30:39 -0800

If you are looking for a good, inspirational and informational book, try reading If You Don't Have Big Breasts, Put Ribbons on Your Pigtails by Barbara Corcoran. It tells her story of growing up in a household of her parents and nine brothers and sisters and how this influenced her ability to start and grow a super successful real estate company in New York City. This amazing woman started out in countless go-nowhere jobs and then took $1,000 loan from a boyfriend and turned it into a real estate business known as The Corcoran Group, with a few bumps along the way. She weaves tales of her childhood with her innovative marketing strategies that include outsmarting Donald Trump.

Open Houses- Better showings on Saturday or Sunday?

Vanessa Krempa — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 02:44:50 -0800

Lately I've seen an increasing number of open houses on Saturday afternoon. I co-hosted an open house on a Saturday and was delighted that 17 groups of people showed up with only advertising on Realtor.com and signs in the neighborhood. We held another open house the next day and only 7 groups of people showing up. Acknowledging cannibalization from Saturday, do you think Saturdays are another way of capturing potential clients? I want to comment also that several groups of people showed up between 4-6pm, which I found slightly surprising and encouraging.

Princeton Homes- Revaluation Time

Vanessa Krempa — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 01:45:28 -0800

In 2008, Princeton homeowners will see their homes go through a revaluation, an exercise that was last done in 1996. According to the Princeton Packet on Feb 15, 2008, about 1/3 of the homes are expected to see an increase, a 1/3 a decrease and the remaining 1/3 are expected to remain the same. The upcoming revaluation will include an inspection of all homes, commercial and exempt properties. If all goes according to plan, municipalities are expected to get an idea of the new assessments this fall. An appeals process remains in place.

Is Now a Good Time to Buy in New Jersey?

Vanessa Krempa — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 05:37:38 -0800

When the Federal Reserve announced its second rate cut in recent weeks, many are wondering if this is the right time to buy their first home or to purchase a larger home. But does a rate cut mean your interest rates on a new loan will decrease? Unfortunately, it's not that clean cut. Often interest rates rise, so one cannot bank on lower interest rates. It very difficult to predict what will happen following each rate change.What is more clear in New Jersey is that home prices are lower than they have been in years. What a great time to take advantage of some of the lowest interest rates in recent years and purchase 'more home' than you would have been able to in previous years.What are your thoughts?