Archive for the ‘Miscellaneous’ Category

I love Thursday afternoons – it’s the little things that make me happy and one of them is reading the Bernardsville News every week!   This week there was an article announcing free radon kits available to all residents serviced by the Bernards Township Health Department (Chester, Mendham, Long Hill, Bernardsville and Peapack-Gladstone).  This is great information and I couldn’t wait to share it with my blog-friends.  However, there are two fundamental crazy things about this particular article.  The kits are not free, they cost $10.00 and they are only available until the end of January, which means you need to get your kit before 4:00 TOMORROW….. go figure.  Anywho – here’s the information:

January is National Radon Action Month and the Bernards township health department is offering home radon kits during the month January.  If you are interested in having your home tested, visit the health department at 262 South Finley Avenue between 9:00 and 4:00 – through tomorrow. 

Bernards Township Public service announcement over. 

What is radon?  Radon is a colorless, odorless, tasteless radioactive gas that comes from the decay of naturally occuring urnanium in the soil.  It is actually quite common in our area and most buyers test for it during the inspection period of the transaction.  A seller has an obligation to remediate of the results are 4.0 picocuries or greater.  It is actually very easy to remediate.  A pipe is installed in the basement – under the foundation – and snaked above the roofline.  A fan creates a vaccuum that pulls the radon out and disperses it into the air where it is diluted to a point where it is no longer harmful.  For a 3200 square foot house it typically costs about $1100.

If you are considering a move into or out of Basking Ridge, please contact me for a buyer consultation or a market analysis of your current Basking Ridge home.  Visit my site to search Basking Ridge Real homes for sale – whether you are looking for a condo, a single family home or a luxury property.  I’m happy to help!

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Happy New Year and best wishes for an amazing 2010!

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Many times when working with people looking to purchase in the Basking Ridge, NJ area I encounter buyers who are getting help from their family to buy their first home.  I wanted to make sure that you have all the information you need to make the best decision about this very important investment!

Buyers who purchase a property with someone else may wonder about their ability to claim the homebuyer tax credit. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) recently issued tax credit eligibility guidelines for co-borrowers purchasing a home.

One of the most commonly seen situations is when a parent co-signs their child’s mortgage and both names appear on the note. If the parent owns a home, they are not eligible for any portion of the credit. However, if the home-buying child has not owned a home in the previous three years and meets the other requirements, he or she can qualify for the full $8,000 first-time buyer tax credit.

In other cases, unmarried individuals purchase a home to live in together. If only one of the co-borrowers meets all of the requirements, the eligible buyer may claim the full tax credit.

Click here to visit the homebuyer tax credit section on the IRS Web site.  You can also contact me directly for additional questions.  Click here to start your search in Bedminster, or here to start your search in Basking Ridge.  I also cover surrounding areas and have contacts all over the state for areas in other counties.

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This year’s Liberty Corner Holiday parade is on Thursday, December 17th.  Sponsored by the Bernards Township Chamber of Commerce and co-hosted by the Liberty Corner Fire Company, the parade starts in the center of Liberty Corner and makes its way back to the firehouse.  The trucks are on display, the Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts march, and Millington Savings Bank usually donates prizes, cider and other goodies for the post-parade reception, which also features a special visit from Santa! 

Visit my Basking Ridge website to search homes for sale in Basking Ridge and surrounding areas.

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I have been in Disney – will be back soon with new posts!

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I am working on a market analysis for a listing appointment scheduled for Wednesday night.  The property is a lovely expanded bi-level with over 3000 square feet of living space.  Updated bathrooms and a kitchen with a very recent face lift – I am looking forward to getting it on the market!  Here is some of the analysis I have done so far.

Bernardsville, NJ Market Snapshot

 5 properties under contract since 10/30/2009 

1. 9 Sunset Dr $399,900, Ranch
2. 71 Anderson Hill Rd.  $449,900, Cape Cod
3. 26 Essex Ave $479,000, Ranch
4. 33 Timber Rock Trl $859,000, Colonial
5. 8 Harvey Drive $923,000, Colonial

88 properties available (as of 11/30)

Overall Market Absorption: 17.6 months

Adjusted Market Absorption: eliminating luxury properties (over $1M): 39 available, 5 under contract = 7.8 months of inventory – not such a bad outlook.

What’s available? 

• 15% of the inventory is listed under $500,000 (13/3=4.3 months)
• 30% of the inventory is listed between $500,000 and $1,000,000 (27/2=13.5 months)
• 55% of the inventory is listed over $1M (can’t calculate)

Properties Comparable to this new listing: 

Available:

 Sold:

Stay tuned for more information about the property and it’s list price!!

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Now that my Basking Ridge Real Estate blog is 100 posts old (Happy Birthday to me!), I think it’s time to graduate from the plain-vanilla WordPress theme that I grew up with.

Please make some comments!  Let me know what you think of the blog; of the design; of the content!

Thank you!

Jennifer

Don’t hesitate to search Basking Ridge homes for sale while you are at it!

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There’s nothing worse than having a major appliance break, especially since most people depend heavily on their dish washer and laundry machines. Then, there is the inevitable choice that must be made: whether to repair it or just get a new one.

Of course, the primary factor to consider when making a decision is the cost of the repair versus the cost of replacing the appliance, factoring in such things as tax, installation, and removal and disposal of the broken unit. According to Angie’s List, a national consumer ratings company, these things should also be considered:

• Age/History – Older appliances may require ongoing service, which could cost more over time than simply buying something new. On the other hand, if you have not had trouble with the appliance in the past, it might be worth fixing it.
• Energy Efficiency – New appliances could save you considerably when it comes to energy costs. Determine if the energy savings will offset the cost of a new appliance. In addition, tax credits may be available on energy-efficient units.
• Features/Performance – As technology advances, appliances have more and more features and can do more things. Putting cost aside, purchasing a new appliance might be the right choice simply because it improves your quality of life.

If the decision is to purchase a new appliance, remember that quality products tend to last longer, and that proper care will help prevent problems and reduce the need for repairs.

Contact me if you are considering a move into or out of Basking Ridge, NJ; I am happy to help you determine the value of your Basking Ridge home, or you can search what’s for sale in Basking Ridge (and many other areas as well!)

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Acres of Open Space and Parkland in Basking Ridge

In researching for an upcoming post (Top Ten Reasons to Live in Basking Ridge) I came across the following information. I had no idea that you can dedicate a living memorial in one of our township parks!  Each fall, trees are planted to honor the memory of a deceased relative, friend, or member of your organization, to celebrate a birth or anniversary, or to recognize a volunteer or employee.  A memorial tree plaque is located at Town Hall with the names of the individuals for whom trees have been planted.  And you can even be present at the planting!  Download application forms here. 

If you are considering a buying or selling a house in Basking Ridge, contact me for more information about our town.

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Halloween is just around the corner!  Who doesn’t love to trick or treat, or decorate their home or dress up in costume!  Spooky or cute, the kids have a blast!

Basking Ridge has several activities planned during this month.  From crafts at the library to pumpkin rolling and trick or treating sponsored by local businesses it shouldn’t be hard to find something to do.  Follows is a schedule of events:

Saturday, October 24th – 1:00-4:00 Safe Trick or Treat in downtown Basking Ridge.  Sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce, children are invited to come trick or treating for treats given out by local businesses and merchants.

Saturday, October 24th – 1:00-3:00 Drop-in crafts at the Bernards Township library.  Children must be accompanied by an adult but no registration is required.  Children of all ages are welcome.

Saturday, October 24th – at 1:00 The Bernards Township Recreation Department has many fun activities scheduled at the Oak Street School field on Henry Street.  Pumpkin rolling races, crafts and other ghoulish activities.  Come for tricks after you get your treats!

Monday, October 26th 7:00-7:45 Midnight at Normandy at the Library; Children ages 5-12 are invited for an evening with Piccirillo Sciencetelling.  Tickets are a must – contact the library for more information.

If you are interested in buying or selling a home in Basking Ridge, please visit my webiste at www.Basking-Ridge-Real-Estate.com or click here to sign up for listing alerts in and around Basking Ridge.

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