Energy efficiency is proving to be important to those living in Millburn-Short Hills. It can be a great investment to add energy efficient items to your Millburn-Short Hills property. Not only will it ease your energy spending in the short term and be better for the environment, but also make your home desirable to buyers when it it is time to sell. The types of green updates available are growing in number and the cost is also coming down. Do some research and think about what types of upgrades you would enjoy having in your home, and if selling is in your near future, check in with a seasoned real estate agent to talk about what the best use of your money would be.

Millburn-Short Hills Property Owners Increase Appeal with Energy Efficient Improvements

Here are a few popular upgrades to consider. Installing energy efficient doors and windows is really a no brainer for your property. These doors and windows will help save on heating and cooling bills, but also add security and more soundproofing to your home. Go a step further and consider installing or upgrading solar panels on your home. Recent upgrades in solar roof tile and battery storage system technology have really taken this industry to a new level. Bulky solar panels are out and sleek new designs are in and save consumers more than ever. Smart tech devices are also the way of the future. Home hubs, smart thermostats, and other systems that learn from your habits and preferences help save money and enhance a family’s lifestyle.

Other current trends point to keeping design natural. Natural bamboo, untreated wood, wicker, and other environmentally conscious items are in. When replacing curtains, choose chemical free, natural fabrics and keep things clean and simple. This natural design can stretch outside as well for those living in Millburn-Short Hills. Choose landscaping that will naturally help keep your home cool, such as strategically placed shade trees. Also opt for plants that are native to your area and do not require a ton of water to thrive. Energy efficient upgrades offer many enhancements to your life such as energy bill savings, more appeal to future buyers, and simply feeling good about taking care of the environment.

 

The Reeves Reed Arboretum is dedicated to enriching the lives of everyone living in Millburn-Short Hills. By engaging and educating their visitors they encourage the public to become better “stewards of nature and the environment”. Their legacy of service will be a hallmark of the Arboretum as they touch the lives of everyone in the community.

The event calendar at the Arboretum is very active. Many guests visit the Millburn-Short Hills property to enjoy its beauty. For instance, there are multiple events happening on Wednesday the 25th of April. That morning, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Lead Horticulturist Julieanne Frascinella will teach a class on how to identify weeds and remove or suppress them. They will meet in Wisner House’s sun porch and then follow Julieanne on a tour of the entire grounds as she explains everything gardeners need to know about weeds. The “Weed or Wildflower? Spring Weed ID and Controls” class is completely free for Arboretum members, and only $10 for non-members.

Kids Explore Nature on the Millburn-Short Hills Property of Reeves Reed Arboretum

In the afternoon, from 1 to 2 p.m., the usual weekly class for 3 to 5 year olds, “Oaks and Acorns (Rock Hounds),” will bring the wonder of the natural world to visiting little ones. Every week the children create their own piece of art, hear stories, and enjoy a nature walk. This class is also free for members, and only $10 for non-members. Register early, because space is limited.

Women should plan to attend the “Wellness Support 101” class from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Attendees will learn how to support and sustain their own wellness practice. Master Coach Deborah Munies will address topics from “navigating naysayers” to addressing “self-sabotaging fears”. The small fee for members is $25, and $35 for non-members.  Women will learn all they need to strengthen every area of their health. With so many events happening on the 25th, there will be something for everyone that day!

The Reeves Reed Arboretum is proud of the many ways it enriches the lives of all those living in Millburn-Short Hills and the surrounding community. From summer camps, to their job readiness program working with homeless men and women, they are changing lives with the beauty and knowledge that they share. Learn more about the events they offer and plan a visit to the Reeves Reed Arboretum.

 

Spring means many chances for enjoying the outdoors away from your Millburn-Short Hills real estate. The Millburn Township Recreation and Parks Department has been busy getting a great assortment of activities on the calendar. Track and Field for 4th through 8th graders will begin the week of March 26th. This is a great opportunity for youngsters to get in shape, feel the joys of competition and sportsmanship, and make new friends. Practices will be held one or two nights a week at Millburn High School Track or Taylor Park. This program also includes competitive dual meets with other nearby towns. The registration fee is $75. Other sports programs for youth staring in April include tee-ball baseball and tee-ball softball, girls softball, and youth tennis group lessons.

Check out other programs coming up such as Smartycat Kids Science Exploration Workshops, an Egg Hunt, and Fishing Derby. The Egg Hunt is for children in preschool through 2nd grade and will take place at Taylor Park on Saturday, March 24th. Starting at 10 a.m., kiddos will race to find the eggs. This event is free to all who live in Millburn-Short Hills real estate.

Kids in Your Millburn-Short Hills Home Sign Up for Community Events

Smartycat Kids Science Exploration Workshops will take place mid April through June and is open to children ages 5-10. The workshops will take place at Taylor Park Community Center from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. The cost ranges from $155 to $175 and includes science experiments, nature study, technology topics, chemistry, designing and building structures, and much more.

The Fishing Derby will take place on Saturday, April 28th from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Taylor Park. This is for youth ages 15 and under and is free to those who call Millburn-Short Hills home. Register between 8 a.m. and 8:45 a.m. and bring your own pole and bait. Prizes will be awarded in several categories.

Adults have many opportunities to get involved and stay active as well. Men and women shoot hoops at Open Gym Basketball Wednesday evenings starting April 4th at the High School Main Gym. Volleyball will be on Tuesday evenings starting April 3rd. A women’s golf league is also coming mid April. The recreation guide has registration information and more details about all of these activities and programs as well as information for others happening this spring and summer.

 

Winter can seem long around Millburn-Short Hills real estate, but Soothing Zen Day Spa offers a warm and relaxing atmosphere to soothe away winter stress. First time customers can take advantage of special rates. A 50-minute massage is just $49, while a 50-minute facial is $59. Combo specials are available, as well. Take a long break from the stresses of life with a two-hour massage and facial for $115 or try massage and reflexology for $100. Couples can also enjoy first-time customer discounts. A one-hour duct massage is just $105. To keep the chill of winter far away, each massage and facial table has a table warmer, as well as a microfiber blanket for extra coziness.

Everyone from Millburn-Short Hills Homes Can Find a Treatment to Suit Their Needs

Zen Day Spa offers a long list of facials, body treatments, and massages, and there is something to suit everyone living in Millburn-Short Hills homes. Special facials are offered for teens, men, and for anti-aging and anti-acne. The detox facial leaves the skin pure and revitalized. You can schedule a massage up to two hours long. Be sure to check out the add-ons, including aromatherapy, Thai massage, and lava shell. For those in a hurry, there are 20-minute mini massages, for head and scalp, neck and shoulders, or the face. Your hands and feet work hard everyday, so treat them right with a reflexology massage. Sometimes it’s too hard to choose one treatment. Be sure to check out the money-saving combo specials.

Give your body special care by scheduling a body treatment. These include special scrubs, lotion massage, detox, exfoliating treatment, and body wraps. These leave your body refreshed and your skin tighter and softer. Soothing Zen also offers body waxing.

At Soothing Zen Day Spa, you’ll be transported from the bustle of Millburn-Short Hills real estate to a world of luxurious pampering and calm. Every therapist at the day spa is trained and certified, so you know you’ll be in good hands. Book an appointment online or call 973.379.2307.

 

 

217 Terrace Dr Chatham, NJ 07928

In case you missed this, Chatham Schools, minutes to downtown Summit or Chatham and the Midtown Direct. Surrounded by parks and a stones throw from the Short Hills Mall. Open House Sunday March 11th 2-4. Text me for details~973-202-7270

There are many details to consider when selling your Millburn-Short Hills home. One place that you do not want to skimp on or overlook is getting your home ready for showing. When potential buyers enter your home, they want to be wowed, not taken aback by how cluttered and messy it is. Take the time to really make your Millburn-Short Hills home shine before it is open to all.

Millburn-Short Hills Real Estate More Attractive when Closets Aren’t Stuffed

Some good places to start well in advance are to make any necessary repairs on the home and start to clear out clutter. No one will want to see a piece of siding dangling or the bathroom faucet slowly dripping. Take care of all of these repairs as soon as possible so you do not have to run around at the last minute finishing last minute repairs. Buyers want to see a home that will not require a ton of work right after moving in.

You will also want to remove as many personal items as possible. People want to picture their own family living in the home. While you are at it, remove as much as possible from cupboards and closets. This will make them look bigger and help people feel that there is plenty of storage space. Yes, potential buyers are going to open cupboards and closets. This might mean you have to rent a storage unit or put a few things in your friend’s garage until your house sells.

Once done with these tasks, it is time to thoroughly clean and stage your Millburn-Short Hills real estate. Scrub everything. Make sure there is no mold or smells that could be a red flag to a potential buyer. When staging your home, think about showcasing what your home has to offer. Find a functional use for every space. If you have a room that’s just a catch-all, declutter and turn it into a home office or yoga room. If the master bedroom is big enough for a king size bed, get one in there to show off how large the room is. Think about your home’s best qualities and make sure they stand out when people walk through.

 

Moving to a new Millburn-Short Hills property can seem like a stressful and daunting task, but there are ways to make it easier and possibly even enjoyable. The joy can come from using this opportunity to thin out possessions that are no longer needed. Lighten your load and donate the unneeded items to local charities or others who could use them. Start sorting through belongings and making a plan at least 8 weeks before moving. Make a list of things to do, and start packing items that you plan to hang onto but will not need before the move.

After packing the items you will not need, move onto everything else. However, do not just run around the house throwing things into boxes. Pack like things together and label the boxes with the contents and which room they should go to in the new house. This will make unpacking much easier. Also think about packing a few boxes of essential items that will be needed the first day after your move. This could include a few outfits, things for children, utensils for eating, and anything else that you will likely need in the first hours of being in your new Millburn-Short Hills property. Pace yourself, be sure to take breaks and preserve some family time during this process.

Lastly, do not be afraid to ask for help. Whether you have friends or relatives close by or need to reach out to a professional moving company, it is worth it to not take this on all alone. This could actually turn out to be a fun time hanging out with friends or family, listening to music, and getting packed up. Treat your helpers to dinner after a hard day of work and enjoy some time together. Professionals may be needed to help with oversized or especially fragile items and think about moving insurance for valuable possessions.

Unpack, then Find out All the Great Things to Do for Those Living in Millburn-Short Hills

Through all of this, make sure to take care of yourself. Eat healthy, nourishing foods, get sleep, and pace yourself. Double check move in dates to make sure everything is scheduled correctly. Once you get to your new home, take the time to enjoy living in Millburn-Short Hills. Do not feel like you have to unpack everything right away. Take care of essential items and then rest. It took a lot of effort to get your stuff there in the first place. Unpack carefully to avoid any damage. It will take time, but soon everything will be where you want it in your new home.

 

Enhancing the curb appeal of your Millburn-Short Hills home when trying to sell in the winter may seem daunting, but there are many things that can be done to make your property shine. Think of a few elements in front of your home where you could easily add a little pizazz. Place some shiny yard accessories out front to catch the eye. Something that reflects the crisp winter light will be a win. The same goes for a mailbox or house numbers. Update the mailbox and choose something colorful and interesting instead of the boring standard black. Consider adding unique house numbers to the box and also consider updating the ones on your house. Perhaps make them larger and add a light shining down on the digits so that people can find your Millburn-Short Hills home even when it is getting dark early.

Plenty of Outdoor Lighting Will Make Millburn-Short Hills Real Estate Shine

Finding ways to add light and brightness are important in the winter. Twinkling lights make everything more endearing, especially close to Christmas. Make sure that the driveway is well lit so that no one has problems finding the property. Consider grabbing an extra Christmas tree and putting it on the porch with twinkling white lights. This gets you an added pop of green and a jolly feeling from the lights. Speaking of green, head out and find some plants that stay green year round to place in a pot and adorn the front of your Millburn-Short Hills real estate. Boxwood is just one example, but your neighborhood garden center would definitely have more ideas.

Put yourself in the shoes of potential buyers. Stand in front of your home and see what you can dream up. Find ways to add brightness. This may come in repainting your front door or trim a brighter color or adding a statue or other tasteful yard art. Talk to a seasoned realtor for guidance and ideas for enhancing your home’s winter curb appeal. Take advantage of less selling competition during the winter months and wow potential buyers from the first moment they drive up.

 

Families living in Millburn-Short Hills have many opportunities to make memories this holiday season at the Essex County Turtle Back Zoo. The Zoo is hosting multiple family friendly events throughout the holidays. Their annual Holiday Light Spectacular and a special Storytime with Mrs. Claus will enthrall children from all around the area. Many Millburn-Short Hills properties will be decorated with the lights of the season, but seeing the Zoo alight with the sights and sounds of this magical time of year is something special!

The Holiday Light Spectacular event is open daily until New Year’s Day from 5 to 9 p.m., except for the nights of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Stroll through the sparkling lights of over 50 animal and winter characters. Embrace this spirit by giving donations of new toys, gently used coats, and non-perishable food items outside each entrance. Whether children are looking to meet Santa on Saturday and Sunday at the Party Gazebo, or they want to watch the nightly ‘Tis The Season Sea Lion show at the Sea Lion Sound, they are sure to enjoy themselves. This Holiday Light Spectacular is creating a magical season for all the children visiting the Turtle Back Zoo!

Kids and Adults Alike from Millburn-Short Hills Properties Will Enjoy Storytime with Mrs. Claus

Families living in Millburn-Short Hills will also have the chance to enjoy a special holiday story read by Mrs. Claus at the Zoo’s Storytime With Mrs. Claus event. Come for a special storytime with Mrs. Claus from now through December 21st. Children who come to hear the story will also get to meet one of Mrs. Claus’ animal friends, and there will be a holiday cookie with light refreshments available with every $10 ticket. Children who are 12 years old and younger will especially enjoy the storyies. Toddlers who are under 2 years old are free, and every child must have a parent or guardian attend with them. Tickets are required for every attendee since space is limited and can be purchased in advance.

With events like these all season long at the Essex County Turtle Back Zoo, it’s easy to see why it is such a popular part of the holiday season for families throughout the area!

 

A good credit score is very important when applying for a loan to purchase Millburn-Short Hills real estate. If your credit score is not quite where it needs to be, in most cases 700 or higher, there are many things that you can do to try to raise it before going to obtain a home loan. Also keep in mind, that the better your credit score, the better the terms for your loan will be. It can take a little time to bump up the score, so it is a good idea to start working on it as soon you are feeling serious about purchasing Millburn-Short Hills real estate.

Credit card bills play a huge role in your credit score. Take a look at your balances and try to pay them down as much as possible. Also be sure that you are making those payments on time. Consistently late payments can really ding a credit score. On time payments are not only important for your credit card bills, but also your car payments, student loans, and other debts. Think about it, a home mortgage company will definitely want their payments on time. Show them that this is possible by paying your other bills on time. Set up auto pay for as many bills as possible so you don’t have to worry about it.

Understand How Your Credit Score Works Before Shopping for a Millburn-Short Hills Home

Lenders are going to look at your debt to income ratio. This refers to how much money you earn versus how much money you owe. The more you owe already, the higher the ratio, and the less money you will qualify for in a home loan. It’s important to pay down as much debt as you can before applying for a loan.

There are a few methods people can use for wiping out debt. One is called the “avalanche” method. Using this method, make a list of all outstanding loans listed from the highest to lowest interest rate. Make minimum payments on all loans with lower interest rates and throw as much money as you can at paying off the loan with the highest interest rate. Then work your way down the list.

Another idea is called the “snowball” method. Again, make a list of all debts, but this time write them in order of amount owed from least to greatest. Pay the minimum amount on all loans except for the one with the smallest balance and then pull all resources to pay off that one loan as soon as possible. Once that one is paid off, put the money that was going to that lowest balance to the next lowest balance and keep the snowball going.

A final method of mention is the “snowflake” method of setting aside all extra money for paying off debt. Skip the morning coffee drive through, save the $10 rebate, turn down the thermostat, and put every extra dollar toward paying off debt.

Make the commitment to improve that credit score. Work hard to get it where it needs to be so that you can find the perfect Millburn-Short Hills home!