Archive for the ‘Basking Ridge Community Information’ Category

Welcome Back, September, it’s good to see you again!

As much as I love the slow laziness of the summer months, by the time September rolls along I’m really happy to see it!  Things start happening again: school, sports, routine, and…..REAL ESTATE!

There have been sixteen new listings and ten price adjustments in Basking Ridge since the first of the month.  And, there have been 11 contract sales.  Traditionally we see an uptick in market activity between Labor Day and Thanksgiving.  So if you are looking to make a move, it might pay to take advantage of the Fall Market in Basking Ridge.  I am happy to provide a listing of current properties or an evaluation of the value of your home in the current market.  No obligation, just Information!

Please visit one of today’s featured listings in Basking Ridge:

11 Archgate Road: $699,000 – from 1:00 – 5:00 – Alma and I will be more than happy to show you this wonderful center hall colonial with an amazing list of upgrades and a terrific location within walking distance of Pleasant Valley Park.

267 English Place: $289,900 – from 1:00 – 5:00 – Carol and I will be more than happy to show you this wonderful two bedroom end unit in Society Hill I.  FHA approved and completely updated!

I will be floating between these properties and a listing in Bridgewater: 15 Frohlin Drive which is just off of Washington Valley Road which will be hosted open by Kate between 1:00 and 4:00 today.  Stop by and visit this large split level home on a nice level lot in one of the best Bridgewater neighborhoods.

I am looking forward to talking with you when you are ready to make a move!

11 Archgate Road, 1-4, four bedroom colonial in quiet Basking Ridge neighborhood – over $150,000 in upgrades!

267 English Place, 1-5, two bedroom end unit in Society Hill – many updates including kitchen and baths!

Interest rates are at incredible lows… now might be the time to buy!  Stop in at one of these open houses and talk to an experienced agent about your options in this market.

I got my water bill yesterday – WOW – it really goes up in the summer time! I suppose it could be because my pool leaks…no, not really, we fixed that problem last summer!  I attribute it to my underground sprinkler system – and the puddles of water I noticed in my beds this week.  I bet you thought this post would be about Short Sales!

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, nationwide more than 7 billion gallons of water a day go to landscape irrigation. Aside from that being a lot of water, as much as half of it is wasted because it falls on sidewalks or evaporates into the air before it reaches the ground. Luckily, a few simple changes can help you save a precious resource and lower your bills. HouseLogic recommends that homeowners think of the acronym DIRTS (drip irrigation, recapture, timers and sensors) in order to remember steps to take for saving water and money while still maintaining a great-looking yard:

1. Drip irrigation systems are long, thin plastic tubes with small fittings that release water, allowing you to send water only where you need it. A new drip system costs around $200 for a whole yard, or you can convert your existing in-ground sprinkler system. The cost is well worth it: Going from sprinklers to drip irrigation can cut lawn water use by up to 50 percent.
2. Recapturing rainwater allows you to irrigate at no cost. To harvest rainwater, place a simple plastic or wooden drum, with a spigot near the bottom where you can attach your hose, underneath a downspout. A 60-gallon barrel costs only $75 to $150, and one inch of rain on a 1,000-square-foot roof provides 600 gallons of runoff.
3. Putting your irrigation system on a timer will keep water waste to a minimum and can also help you comply with any local watering restrictions. Timer kits range from the simple to more sophisticated ones with sensors that adjust the water flow based on how much rain has fallen.

Basking Ridge Market info:

It’s been relatively quiet in my world of Basking Ridge real estate this past week – two stalled negotiations, but one property in attorney review and a closing scheduled for this week.  As for our town, there were eleven new listings since August 1 - three condos, a town house, six colonials and an expanded ranch listed from $229,900 to $2.6m.  A more important stat, 14 properties went under contract – six townhouses, a condo, six colonials and a cape cod listed from $224,000 to $1.39m.  I also noticed at least two properties go into attorney review.  So, despite the economy…. there ARE buyers out there!

I went on a listing appointment last Friday and I have two more this week – attention buyers: there are going to be some really nice homes on the market this fall!  Be the first to know about them by signing up for listing alerts from Basking Ridge real estate.

Let me know if you need help figuring out how to find those buyers or if you are thinking about making a move here in town; I can help assess the value of your home in today’s market.  I’m happy to talk with you about Basking Ridge Real Estate!

The blog has been sorely neglected – I’ve been juggling summertime family activities with lots of summertime sales activities!  I promise to be back soon… in the mean time follow the links for recent sales sales data:

Bedminster single family homes

Bedminster townhouses and condos

Basking Ridge Sales data

While I will be off today, Alma Aguayo is working!  She’s hosting an open house at my listing on Archgate Road in Basking Ridge – www.11ArchgateRoad.com – from 1:00 until 4:00.  This is a fantastic house with a great yard and lots of updates that you wouldn’t even consider!  Nothing to do but move in and enjoy this fine home!

The following properties have closed in the last month:

110 Jamestown Rd 
257 Mount Prospect Rd
5 Hansom Rd
55 Mount Airy Rd
20 Raleigh Ct
40 Meeker Rd
42 Mayflower Dr
55 E Oak St
44 Beechwood Rd
29 Vanderveer Dr
25 Stacy Ln
38 Hansom Rd
6 Magnolia Path
84 Huntington Rd
14 Village Drive - **my listing**
210 Potomac Dr
39 N Dexter Dr - **my sale**
10 Prescott Ct
397 Penns Way
72 Victoria Dr – **my listing**

If you are considering a move to Basking Ridge, I am happy to help.  Access my website to search homes for sale in Basking Ridge or homes for sale in Bedminster or you can contact me for access to other towns.  My team and I support all of Somerset County and beyond!

Bernards Township is offering skin cancer screenings – two dates available: July 20th and July 27th – appoinment is necessary.  Call 908-204-2520. The suggested donation is $10 for residents of Basking Ridge, Bernardsville, Peapack-Gladstone, Mendham Borough, Mendham Township and Chester Borough is to cover the cost of supplies.

As they do every summer, the Parks and Recreation department is hosting plays in the park, family fun night and concerts in the park: the schedule is here.

258 Alexandria Way, Basking Ridge - three bedroom Spring Ridge duplex, Greenbriar model with finished basement and first floor master.  Recently reduced to $459,900!

Hardwood floors, new windows, some new appliances, new carpet, basement finished with permits. Clean as a whistle!  Open house, Sunday, 7/10 from 1:00-4:00.

There are several things going on in my Basking Ridge Real Estate world that I thought I would share. 

Moving sale at 11 Archgate Road in Basking Ridge

Friday, 6/24 from 9am – 2pm and Saturday, 6/25 from 9am – 12pm. Priced to Sell. Loads of kids toys, clothes, games and books. Household items, furniture, storage, etc. Too much to list. Take Lyons Road to 11 Archgate Road.

Featured Open Houses

22 Lyons Place from 1:00-5:00 on Sunday, 6/26.  The list price on this home was just reduced from $519,000 – a great opportunity for a first time home buyer or someone looking to renovate, remodel or build on what is almost an exact acre in the heart of Basking Ridge.

258 Alexandria Way from 1:00-4:00 on Suday, 6/26.  This open house is still tentative – watch the internet for confirmation.  A Greenbriar model in Spring Ridge, this unit features a newly finished basement, newer windows, hardwood floors, new carpet and a gas stove.

Loan limits

On September 30, the cost of a mortgage could rise significantly as Congress is consiering lowering the mortgage loan limits for FHA and GSEs. Currently, in Somerset County the FHA loan limit is $729,750 but it is proposed to be reduced to $625,500.  This will add a hurdle for even well qualified buyers by reducing affordability.  This is not something we need now, not as our markets are just starting to level off. The real estate community is working hard to keep mortgages affordable – campaigning to keep the current loan limits.

Basking Ridge Real Estate – information for you

If you are considering moving into or out of Basking Ridge, this might be the best time to do so!  Get your house on the market and SOLD before the loan limits change.  Summer typically is a slow time, however, the last few offers I have written were presented in competitive bid situations – there ARE buyers out there and I can help you find them for your Basking Ridge home.

Search homes for sale in Basking Ridge or get your home’s value in today’s Basking Ridge market.

Where:

During July of 2011, the Bernards Township Engineering Department will complete road reconstruction on Allen Street, Dayton Street, Lee Place, and Hillside Terrace (from Allen Street to Dayton Street). The Department will also mill and pave Owens Court and Emily Road.

When:

Construction is scheduled on weekdays between the hours of 8:00 am and 5:00 pm. No construction will occur on July 4. Construction is weather dependant and all dates and times are subject to change without notice.

What:

Some construction activities such as milling, road reconstruction, and paving necessitate road closures. During this time, vehicular access will be restricted and parking is prohibited. Residents should plan for alternate parking or travel arrangements during construction hours. Emergency vehicle access will be maintained at all times. The roads will be reopened at the end of each day.

Should any resident have a medical condition which may be affected by restricting access to their driveway, please contact us as soon as possible with the appropriate information so we can accommodate your needs.

Should you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us at (908) 204-3018 and press 5 for the Engineering Department.