Happy New Year 2010

Happy New Year 2010

My very best wishes for a wonderful and Happy New Year 2010

$8,000 Credit for First Time Homebuyers

The legislation will extend the $8,000 credit for first-time homebuyers for sales contracts entered into by April 30th, 2010 and closed by June 30th. It has also been expanded to include a new $6,500 incentive for buyers looking to move from their current home if they’ve been residing there for five consecutive years out of the last eight.
The credit was passed due largely in part to the bipartisan efforts of Montana’s Democratic Senator Max Baucus and Republican Congressman Denny Rehberg, who believe the situation is a win-win for Montana buyers and homebuilders.
Dustin Stewart, Executive Director for the Montana Building Industry Association, explains, “The tax credit has been the saving grace of the housing market over the last year, and to see that extended through next April will really give us the help we need to get through the winter and help out the Montana small businesses so they could start the spring with hopefully some hope towards a strong building season.”
President Obama is expected to sign the legislation into law shortly

Daylight Savings Time ( DST)

Daylight Saving Time (DST)
In the US and Canada, Daylight Saving Time ends at 2 a.m. on the first Sunday in November.
In 2009, this will take place on Sunday morning, November 1st.As a Rule: DST Starts in the US/Canada on the second Sunday in March when clocks are set ahead one hour at 2:00 a.m. local standard time, which becomes 3:00 a.m. local daylight time DST Ends in the US on the first Sunday in November when clocks are set back one hour at 2:00 a.m. local daylight time, which becomes 1:00 a.m. local standard time.

Halloween Safety Tips

The first part of getting ready for Halloween is picking out a safe costume: 1. Make sure the costumes are flame retardant so the little ones aren't in danger near burning jack-o-lanterns and other fire hazards.2. Keep costumes short to prevent trips, falls, and other bumps in the night.3. Try make-up instead of a mask. Masks can not only be hot and uncomfortable, but they can obstruct a child's vision. They need to be able to see clearly while walking up and down steps, and while crossing the street.4. Make sure children wear light or neon colors. Adding reflective tape to any costume will help drivers see them as well.As for Trick-or-treating itself, there are some ways to plan ahead to make sure everyone's safe. Experts say familiar location is key.
Experts say when it comes to trick-or-treating, it's all about location, location, location!5. Trick-or-treaters should be in groups so they aren't a tempting target for real-life bad guys. It's always a good idea that adults go along with children, especially young ones. Make sure older kids trick or treat with friends, rather than alone.6. Create a map of a safe route that kids of all ages are familiar with. If you aren't going along with the group, make copies of the map for each person, including the adults who are.7. Have your kids to trick-or-treat while it's still light outside. If it's dark, make sure each child has a flashlight or glow stick, and pick well-lit streets. 8. Tell your children not to enter any homes in which they do not know the occupants. Parents should walk younger children to the door of each house.9. Remind children not to approach a stranger's car, much less get in one. 10. TEACH children to say "NO!" or "this is not my mother/father" in a loud voice if someone tries to get them to go somewhere, accept anything other than a treat, or leave with them. Teach them that they should make every effort to get away by kicking, screaming and resisting. 11. Tell your children to stop only at familiar houses where the lights are on.12. Discuss with your kids some basic road and pedestrian safety rules. 13. Make sure your older children know your home phone number, in case they get lost or separated.Safe costume, check! Safe trick-or-treating, check! Now what about the treats themselves?
You got the treats, but before you eat, follow these safety-first rules.13. Kids, don't open your candy as you go about your trick-or-treating. Save it all for when you return home. Parents should look over the candy and treats, or even have them x-rayed. Parents, one way to keep them from testing the treats too soon is to feed them a meal or snack before they hit the streets.14. Check out all the treats in a well-lit place. 15. Look for wrappers that have been tampered with, and toss any candy not in a wrapper. 16. Double-check any fruit or home made treats, and encourage your children to indulge sparingly. A ghoulish stomachache could follow if too many treats are tasted at one time!

Enjoy and have a safe Halloween

Maybe it's the right time to buy ????

Maybe it's the right time to buy ????
Aug. 25 (Bloomberg) -- U.S. stocks rose as better-than- estimated consumer confidence and home prices bolstered optimism the recession is ending, while falling oil prices dragged down energy producers. Treasury yields declined after a record-tying $42 billion sale of two-year notes.
Macy’s Inc. and Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. added more than 3.4 percent as the Conference Board’s measure of consumer sentiment increased to 54.1, topping the median projection of 47.9. Pulte Homes Inc., the nation’s biggest builder by market value, rose 3.5 percent as the S&P/Case-Shiller home-price index for 20 U.S. cities dropped by the smallest amount since April 2008.

It's Back to School

Back to School

Here are some great quotes at this time of year. A little bit of a sad time, but that passes quickly. What a great joy it is to help educate your children. Best of Luck!

If there were no schools to take the children away from home part of the time, the insane asylums would be filled with mothers. ~Edgar W. Howe

Being a child at home alone in the summer is a high-risk occupation. If you call your mother at work thirteen times an hour, she can hurt you. ~Erma Bombeck

Labor Day is a glorious holiday because your child will be going back to school the next day. It would have been called Independence Day, but that name was already taken. ~Bill Dodds

The whole purpose of education is to turn mirrors into windows. ~Sydney J. Harris

You send your child to the schoolmaster, but 'tis the schoolboys who educate him. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

GOING GREEN

GOING GREEN

1. Guests always comment on the nice breezes going through your home…but your windows and doors are all shut. http://www.greenhomeguide.com/index.php/knowhow/entry/974/C236
2. Your monthly visits to the allergist are starting to cost about as much as your mortgage payment. http://www.earthcrafthouse.com/documents/abn/abnjuly07.pdf or http://www.greenhome.com/info/articles/fighting_allergies/5/
3. No, the previous homeowner did not sponge paint your bathroom in brown – that’s mold silly. http://planetgreen.discovery.com/home-garden/fix-leaks-fight-mold.html
4. The office coffee is pretty bad, but you had to stop your morning trips to Starbucks so you could afford to pay your electric bill. http://planetgreen.discovery.com/go-green/green-electricity/green-electricity-top-tips.html
5. You decide to have a home inspection before you put your home on the market (good idea) but during the radon testing, the inspector darts out of your house without giving you an invoice. http://www.epa.gov/radon/pubs/hmbyguid.html
6. You just spoke to your neighbor and your recent water bill is about the same – nice, but they just filled their pool last month. http://green.yahoo.com/blog/amorylovins/33/low-cost-ways-to-conserve-water-at-home.html
7. Even the White House is doing it! http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29944122/
8. You’ve calculated that your carbon footprint alone is bigger than that of the First Family living in the White House. http://www.nature.org/initiatives/climatechange/calculator
9. You can’t take a hot shower while your dishwasher is running. http://www.thedailygreen.com/going-green/tips/tankless-water-heaters-460225
10. It will help you feel better about the future! http://www.charityguide.org/volunteer/fifteen/greenhouse-effect.htm

Lilies - Getting ready for Fall

Getting ready for Fall
Garden lilies are the rare breed of flower bulb you can plant in the spring or fall.

Lilies are winter-hardy bulbs that bloom in summer, not spring, and because they don't require the cold treatment that spring bulbs do, lilies never enter a dormant state and thus will begin growing whenever they're planted, spring or fall. Technically, whichever season you choose, you're never really planting true lilies, you're transplanting them.

Planting lilies is easy and, once established, they're remarkably trouble-free for flowers so flamboyant. But how you plant them matters:

Well-drained soil is a must. Moist soil is good; soggy soil is not. Collected water or puddles will kill lilies even faster than other bulbs.

Plant most types six inches deep (position the bulb in the hole sideways so water won't collect between the bulb scales). Amend heavy soil with compost or well-rotted manure. Sunny spots or partial shade are best.

Water well after planting to prompt rooting. Though fall planting of lilies is a great idea, it's not an absolute necessity. Unlike tulips and most other fall-planted bulbs, with lilies you get another chance to plant come spring.

Home Values New Jersey

Ever wonder what your home is worth or what your neighbors house sold for????? Sure you have.... Well, here's the answer.......

www.HomeValuesNewJersey.com

Check it out and get all the answers you need.

Virtual Tours

Virtual Tours are a great way to show off a house for sale. All of my listings have such a virtual tour. Take a look and see what I mean.

20 Coventry Drive, Freehold New Jersey

http://www.obeo.com/Public/Viewer/Unbranded.aspx?ID=547012

Check out this informative newsletter to help spruce up your home. Whether selling now or sometime in the future, keeping up on your home is a great idea.

The old saying is true.... Pay now or pay later.... Fix up now or pay the price when you try to sell. Hey, you might as well enjoy a beautiful home now.

Click the link for some great info....
http://www.crs.com/yourhome/yourhome_august09_p1.doc

Top ten ways to lose your agent

Top 10 Ways to “Lose your Agent”
1. It's not you, it's me...I admit I have a fear of commitment and would prefer having more casual relationships with numerous listing agents for every home I see.
2. I'm getting back together with my ex-agent...he sent me a beautiful postcard yesterday saying how much he missed me.
3. My therapist thinks that I would do better off selling the house on my own...I need to become more independent.
4. I can't work with you after seeing you eat that poor cow at lunch...
5. You're a Democrat?! Can you please drop me off at the next light?
6. I just don't feel special anymore, what ever happened to the lunches, the long drives to see beach houses, the free koozies?
7. Oh my, did I forget to tell you my new cell number?
8. My horoscope said that we don't make a good match...your birth date implies misfortune within my living space.
9. If you can't donate half your commission to our local "Struggling Actor's Fund", this can't go any further.
10. The dog ate our listing agreement.

Mortgage Rates Holding On

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- Home mortgage rates were nearly unchanged from the previous week as investors weigh better-than-expected corporate earnings against the record volume of debt the government is selling.
The average 30-year fixed mortgage edged up to 5.56% from 5.55% the week prior, and the 15-year fixed dipped to 4.88% from 4.89%, according to the weekly national survey from Bankrate.com.
Last week, mortgage rates were nearly unchanged, as well. "Mortgage rates remain range-bound as investors sort out uncertainty about the economy, corporate earnings, and the future path of interest rates," the report noted.
Mortgage rates move in tandem with Treasury yields. In particular, the 30-year fixed mortgage rate tracks the benchmark 10-year Treasury yield.
Investors tend to buy up Treasurys, or government debt, in times of economic uncertainty, or when Wall Street is struggling. Uncle Sam's debt is considered an ultra-safe investment. Meanwhile, when Wall Street is on a run, investors dump Treasurys for more attractive yielding investments.
The Treasury market is also being affected by the record volume of debt the government is selling to fund its stimulus efforts. The onslaught of supply pushes debt prices lower, which pulls yields higher. Bond prices and yields move in opposite directions.
In an effort to contain the rise in debt yields - and thereby mortgage rates as well - the government launched a debt buyback program. But analysts have argued that the program is not big enough to make a significant difference in rates.

Mortgage Rates

Mortgage Rates

Just as it was predicted, improving economic conditions brought upward pressure to mortgage rates last week. According to manyn experts, even though would-be refinancers haven’t welcomed the higher rates, the upward pressure may actually help the economy.
“Investor money formerly stuffed into the safe haven of Treasury bonds is beginning to filter out into other areas of the economy, and the sooner that normalization takes place, the quicker the economy will experience actual recovery.”

With this going on, it is likely that rates may inch higher. This is the time for first time home buyers and apartment dwellers to look at their first home purchase. Tink carefully before you decide to wait.

Exceeding your Expectations

Belita

Real Estate Advisor

Easy Ways to Revitalize Your Outdoor Spaces
At about this time every year, we begin to venture out from our living rooms and dens into the porches, backyards and patios that will be our fresh-aired habitat for the next few months. Summer is here.
This year more homeowners are avoiding expensive remodeling projects around the home, including large-scale outdoor projects like building new decks our patio spaces. Likewise, fewer people are spending money on big ticket items like high-end grills, above ground pools or lavish outdoor furniture sets. But reigning in spending doesn't mean you can't upgrade your outdoor life this summer.
Below are just a few ways you can liven up your deck, backyard or patio without shelling out big bucks.
1) Color Coordinate - The easiest way to breathe life into your patio, deck or porch is to commit to a vibrant color scheme. Tablecloths, napkins, outdoor rugs and throw pillows are all inexpensive touches that will add a cohesive splash of color to your surroundings. If you have a wood deck, you may consider staining or painting the decking in a new color (forgoing the bright accent hues for more subdued, complimentary tones).
2) Paint that Plastic - Plastic patio furniture has long been an inexpensive way to furnish outdoor spaces, but most plastic furniture sets have only been available in a limited range of solid colors. Due to their unforgiving slick surface, customizing the look of plastic home and garden items was practically impossible. That has all changed with the engineering of new paints designed specifically for plastic surfaces. Using these new paint products, you can easily add a splash of summer color to furniture, garden equipment and children's toys.
3) Change Your Wicker Ways - You can also breathe new life into older wicker furniture with a little paint and some creativity (or failing that, some pre-made patterns). Start by spray-painting your wicker chairs or tables in bright tones. You can dress the furniture up even more by adding patterns with acrylics paints (whether freehand or with stencils). Protect your creation from the elements by adding a layer of spray varnish.
4) Pond in a Box - Adding water elements to a backyard or garden is attractive from an aesthetic standpoint, but can be something of a logistical nightmare (especially for those who try to go the Do-It-Yourself route). Water features require a certain amount of space, money and effort. Consider a lower impact alternative: a deck-top pond. If you're the least bit handy with a hammer, you can fashion your own miniature water garden using a handful of materials from the nearest home and garden center.
Most deck-top ponds are constructed with a distinct garden area (an arrangement of soil, rocks and plants) and a larger pond section that features submerged plants (which do not need soil), marginal plants (planted in pots which are then sunk) and "edge" plants (which are planted along the pond's banks). You can tailor the size of the water garden fit your needs, the materials and surfaces to match your décor and the plant choices to the amount of light available.
5) Paper Lanterns - Japanese style-lanterns are an inexpensive way to add color and style to your outdoor spaces. Once limited to Asian-inspired decorating schemes, today paper lanterns come in a wide variety of designs, shapes and colors. Try a simple set of white lanterns with white lights for understated elegance, or a kaleidoscope of bright lanterns for a more avant-garde lighting scheme. You can also choose different colored bulbs for additional variety. Depending on your preference, either corded and battery operated lights can be used in paper lanterns.
6) Summer Flowers - It takes but a few well-placed planters of flowers to create a park-like atmosphere. Planter boxes require less upkeep than in ground flowers, perfect for those of us who don't have the greenest of thumbs. A garden store expert can help you choose varieties that will match both your desired colors and the level of upkeep you're most comfortable with.

Let's Be Green

Let's be Green...... We hear this all the time, but what does it mean. Well, builders of both commercial and residential properties are being driven to build more environmentally friendly homes and to fill them with energy saving features.

Recently, I attended a three day certification program and what I learned is really quite amazing. Appliances, for example can now be both energy saving and quality products. Not like years ago when something had to suffer. People are collecting water, planting i9n a manner to be more efficient with energy usage and doing so many more things to help the environment. Call me to find out more.

Exceeding Your Expectations.

Belita

First-Time Home Buyers

Please be sure to talk with a tax professional, but this will give you some information about First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credits. The information comes from US News and World Report

First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit: 6 Things to Know

While the proposed $15,000 home-buyer tax credit died in negotiations between the House and the Senate, the $787 billion stimulus bill that President Barack Obama signed into law Tuesday includes a similar--albeit smaller--measure designed to help revive the real estate market. Here are six things you need to know about the freshly-enacted $8,000 first-time home buyer tax credit.

1. Eight grand, new buyers: The tax credit included in the economic stimulus legislation is much narrower than the $15,000 proposal. This credit is equivalent to 10 percent of the purchase price of the home--although it's capped at $8,000--and applies only to first-time home buyers
and principal residences. But unlike an earlier $7,500 home buyer tax credit, this one does not have to be repaid.

2. First time buyers defined: For the purpose of this legislation, a "first-time home buyer" is someone who hasn't owned a principal residence for three years before buying a house. (The date of purchase is considered the day that the title is transferred.) That means if you've owned a vacation home--but not a principal residence--within the past three years, you would still qualify for the credit.

3. 2009 buyers only: Only those who purchase a home on or after January 1 and before December 1, 2009 are eligible for the credit. Anyone who bought a home last year won't be able to take advantage of it.

4. Income limits: The tax credit is subject to income limitations. Single buyers need a modified adjusted gross income of $75,000 or less to qualify for the full credit, that's $150,000 for married couples. Those earning more than these thresholds may be eligible for reduced credits.
5. Refundable: Because the tax credit is "refundable," qualified buyers can take advantage of it even if they don't have much tax liability.

6. Recapture: Buyers have to own the home for at least three years in order to capitalize on the credit. If they sell the home before then, they will have to return the credit to the government. (Exceptions will be made in certain cases, such as death or divorce.)

Golf Season is coming

For some hardy souls, perhaps golf season never ended. But for most people the fast approaching spring season is a time for joy. Here is just one reason. Golf season is coming to Monmouth County

Harbor Pines Golf Club & Estates

Harbor Pines was rated as one of the top 10 women-friendly golf courses, received a four-star rating from the Golf Digest, and is in the top 5 places to play according to The Jersey Golfer. Along with a breathtaking 520-acre course, there is an amazing 20,000 square foot clubhouse for receptions, private parties, business meetings and more. Residential homes line the fairways, and the course is minutes from the seashore.

Great Information about Freehold

Freehold NJ Information
Freehold Township is in Monmouth County, New Jersey and was first formed on October 31, 1693, and was incorporated as a township by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on February 21, 1798. According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 38.5 square miles, and shares borders with Marlboro, Manalapan, Colts Neck, Millstone Township, Jackson, Howell, and Freehold Borough which is entirely surrounded by the township.
The township is located approximately one hour south of New York City and one hour northeast of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Many residents of Freehold Township work in New York and commute to the city daily. Freehold Township is also just fifteen minutes from Belmar which is located on the Jersey Shore and is a popular summer destination for beach goers.
Public school students in Kindergarten through eighth grade are educated by the Freehold Township Elementary and Middle Schools with students in Kindergarten or grades 1-5 attending one of the five elementary schools. Students in public school for grades 9-12 attend either Freehold Township High School or Freehold High School, as part of the Freehold Regional High School District. The Freehold Regional High School District also serves students from Colts Neck, Englishtown, Farmingdale, Freehold Borough, Howell, Manalapan and Marlboro.
Monmouth Battlefield State Park, Turkey Swamp Park, and Michael J. Tighe Park (formerly known as Liberty Oak Park) are all located within the township and provide assorted recreational opportunities. The southernmost segment of the Henry Hudson Trail also starts in the township and is used by walkers, runners, and bicyclists. The township also boasts many other small parks.
Freehold Raceway offers horse lovers and bettors an opportunity to see harness racing, while the large Freehold Raceway Mall is, in addition to a large-scale shopping area, a venue for mall walkers in the mornings and a teenage hangout center in the evenings. As of January 2007, the mall is undergoing a major expansion project.

Atlantic City

Atlantic City is a short trip from Monmouth County

Once a desolate area of sand, marshes and wilderness, the Atlantic City region is now one of New Jersey’s most vibrant and recognizable areas. The famed Atlantic City Boardwalk is one of the state’s most iconic images, stretching nearly 4 miles along the city’s waterfront. The boardwalk’s evolution from simple sand barrier to a hotspot of shopping, amusement parks and casinos helped bring Atlantic City from its sleepy beginnings to its current status as New Jersey’s premier resort city.
The 24-foot wide boardwalk is a great place to stroll and the best place to try Atlantic City’s world-famous specialty foods: saltwater taffy or fresh roasted peanuts. For those who enjoy shopping, the waterfront offers 60 colonial-era shops and specialty vendors. And perhaps nothing symbolizes Atlantic City more than the midway games and amusement rides that line much of the boardwalk.
Atlantic City also offers the complete casino gaming experience. With 12 casino resorts and countless clubs, bars and excellent restaurants, the city provides 24-hour entertainment. The only thing that can compare with a perfect Atlantic City day is an unforgettable Atlantic City night.

The First 100 Days

During the first quarter of 2009, the first 100 days of the new President's term, you are no doubt going to hear a lot of news stories about the economic stimulus plan and the financial rescue package and their possible ramifications to the real estate and mortgage markets. You're going to see headlines about new incentives for home buyers and hear stories about 4% interest rates.
But the truth is that right now, at the time of the writing of this article, the government already has in place one of the largest tax incentives for qualifying home buyers it has ever offered - up to an $8,000 tax credit for first-time buyers, and mortgage rates are within a half a point of being the lowest they've been in our country's history.
The truth is that for those looking to buy or refinance a home in 2009, it may just be that this is your time!
Exceeding Your Expectations
Belita

The Jersey Shore Region

With the warm weather approaching, it's time to get out and see New Jersey.

Fishing villages, long boardwalks and quiet beach communities characterize the Shore region. The area is especially popular for surf, bay, and river fishing-all the way from Sandy Hook to Holgate at the tip of Long Beach Island.
Along the entire shoreline you can explore fishing villages and boardwalks filled with amusement rides and shops. The restaurants here are truly a seafood lover’s paradise, and many specialize in the “fresh catch of the day”. Other popular activities include shopping at the Englishtown Flea Market Auction or Jackson Outlet Village
Families can choose between Six Flags Great Adventure Theme Park, Wild Safari Animal Park, and Hurricane Harbor Water Park for a day of fun. Also within the region are three major motor sports tracks, a number of minor-league baseball parks and two thoroughbred racetracks. And many people love to spend their free time swimming, surfing, building sandcastles or just walking along the beautiful white sandy beaches. Dozens of campgrounds are located throughout the area, and Island Beach State Park includes one of the larges natural dune barrier beaches in the northeast.

Concert lovers can attend concerts at the Great Auditorium in Ocean Grove. For even more entertainment one can catch bluegrass, country, and folk shows at Waretown's Albert Music Hall; national headliners at PNC Arts Center in Holmdel; jazz, blues, and rock at the Count Basie Theatre in Red Banks; musicals and drama at the Fine Arts Center in Tom’s River; and a variety of shows at the Strand Theatre in Lakewood. If you're into musicals, you can also visit the Beach Haven's Surflight Theatre in Lakewood.

What should Renters do Now?

Renters are advised to take action immediately and start saving part of their paycheck every month to help accumulate a down payment. They are also encouraged to borrow 10-20 percent less than what the bank is willing to lend; that way they're only buying as much home as they can afford.
The longer you rent, the longer it may take you to eventually get into homeownership. If the market conditions have scared you, perhaps you're not looking at the other side of the coin. Owning a home becomes part of your investment portfolio, provides tax benefits, allows you to build equity (it still exists), and, if you buy now, you may get an excellent deal.
According to a MarketWatch news article, buying a home now can provide some real negotiating power to request improvements, price reductions, help with closing costs, and more. "People can get a lot of what they need and almost all of what they want today," said Jay Papasan, one of the authors of "Your First Home".

A New Era

Regardless of your political thoughts or ideas, I think we all can agree we are entering a new era on the political scene. We have heard politicians make promises before, but somehow many people believe it this time.

Our new President has made promises too. We can all hope for the best and hope the rest of the politicians realize we are in a mess and need to fix things fast.

So let's all keep our fingers crossed and maybe this economy of ours will turn around soon. having said all that, don't forget that this is a great time to buy. The Real Estate market is full of possible homes and mortgage rates are ver low. Call me anytime with your questions.

Exceeding Your Expectations.

Belita