Live in South Orange and See Zoo Light Up With Cheer

Lights live in South Orange NJ Live in South Orange and See Zoo Light Up With CheerWere you aware of the Turtle Back Zoo Holiday Lights Spectacular? Until January 1st, if you live in South Orange NJ, you can visit the zoo animals and also be treated to some holiday cheer. The holiday lights shine from 5 to 9 p.m. using more than 100,000 bulbs in a variety of displays! With free admission, it’s worth the drive to take in the sights, even if you don’t have a home in South Orange. You can also warm your heart by donating non-perishable food and/or unwrapped new toys at the zoo. They will be disbursed to local children and families in need. Find out more by visiting the zoo online.

If you appreciate the lights and are in search of more displays, you may enjoy a walk around the Livingston Oval (in front of the high school) or a trip over to the Paper Mill Playhouse Holiday Village, located at 22 Brookside Drive in Millburn NJ. The Holiday Village show includes more than 70,000 animated lights, that are timed to music and light up daily every twenty minutes between 6 and 9 p.m. The show only is available through Monday, December 24th and is sure to draw a crowd, so be prepared for lots of traffic!

Top 100 New Jersey High Schools: 2012

DSC 0081 300x198 Top 100 New Jersey High Schools: 2012For the first time since 2008 New Providence HS has taken over the number 1 position in the New Jersey Monthly list of the state’s Top 100 Public High Schools. Take a look at how Millburn, Summit, Chatham, Madison, Livingston and all the local communities ranked.

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Most Recent Local NJ Midtown Direct Statistics

10645780 business chart graph 150x150 Most Recent Local NJ Midtown Direct StatisticsEvery week the market along the NJ Midtown Direct has been changing. Keeping up with all the inventory and homes going under contract has been overwhelming. I’m grateful to have this week a bit slower ( public school vacation)  to catch up on what’s still available and making sure my clients get in the door fast! I’m    posting a comprehensive spreadsheet covering pending contracts and active inventory along the 12 local NJ Midtown Direct towns. Take a look and compare your local real estate in 2011 to 2012. If you would like to be updated on a weekly bases with theses statitsics , please contact me and I will add you to my list. Search the MLS for all active listings. 

 

If you would like to learn more about my local community or discover the meaning behind A New Suburbanism click here or contact me at 973.202.7270

 

Home For Sale in Millburn-Short Hills ? Time to Spring Clean

photo spring cleaning e1328193887632 300x199 Home For Sale in Millburn Short Hills ? Time to Spring CleanSpring is in the air, making it a great time to focus on sprucing up your Millburn-Short Hills home.  Whether you have just purchased a home for sale in Millburn Short Hills or are planning to sell, a little bit of effort spent and a few quick cleaning tips will help your home to sparkle!  Along with the need for general de-cluttering and cleaning, the tips below list easy fixes to resolve issues you may encounter in your new home or home for sale.

Before you start to spring clean, open up the windows so air can circulate throughout your home.  This will help remove any mustiness and you can use candles, essential oils, and other room fresheners to add a pleasant scent to your home.

Look at your walls and surfaces and use a melamine sponge to wipe away anything from soap scum to marker or crayon.  You will be amazed at how easily the dirt is removed with the sponge and a little water.  A popular brand of sponge is the Magic Eraser by Mister Clean, but there are many on the market today that act in the same way.

For the most painless and fast dusting method, use a microfiber cloth to capture the dust most effectively.  Follow up your dusting with a quick run of your vacuum, to clear away any particles that may have settled.  You can also reduce the amount of dust in your home by cleaning any filters on circulation systems in your home.

Remove the dust from curtains in your home by dry-cleaning or washing them (be sure to follow the label instructions) before rehanging.  There are many tools available for clearing dust from other window coverings, so spend a few minutes researching techniques here, if you have a question about the quickest method.  If you have a shower liner, add it to your laundry load.  Just make sure you allow it to air dry rather than dry in the dryer.

Hopefully these tips will inspire you and help you to get your home “Spring Clean” whether for your enjoyment or because you have a home for sale in Millburn-Short Hills.

If you would like to learn more about my local community or discover the meaning behind A New Suburbanism click here or contact me at 973.202.7270

 

Keeping Your New Home Secure in MidTown Direct Area

Spring New Home Safety 300x225 Keeping Your New Home Secure in MidTown Direct AreaSpring is in the air and vacation plans may not be far behind!  Whether you are embarking on a weekend getaway or an extended trip, it’s critical that you make arrangements to ensure the safety of your new home in the MidTown Direct Area.  Implement the following suggestions and enjoy increased peace of mind on your get-away!

  • Befriend a  neighbor.  A formal Neighborhood Watch program may not be instituted on your block, but you are bound to have a neighbor willing to watch over your home while you are away.  Request that they notify you or the police if something alarming occurs.
  • Do not tell the world about your vacation plans until after they are complete.  Your voice mail, Facebook, Twitter, & other social networking websites provide information to sources that may not be your “friend.”  Do not leave notes on your front door, trashcans or mailbox, either.
  •  It’s always best when your home appears to be occupied while you are away. Timers and volunteer police patrols can be utilized, and newspapers and mail can be placed on hold, unless you have a large, locking mailbox. You could also ask a friend to visually check-in on your home.
  •  Try using a deadbolt or locking mechanism on your garage door while you are away for long periods of time and secure any pet entrances.
  • Remember that a well-maintained and well-lit home with timed lights and motion detectors can be a deterrent, as can loud dogs.  Please take note that if you have a pet, you will also need to  plan for its care while vacationing.

When you return, be sure to begin all suspended services again. You will also want to  thank those who watched over your new home so they will feel so inclined when your next vacation comes up.

If you would like to learn more about my local community or discover the meaning behind A New Suburbanism click here or contact me at 973.202.7270

Showing properties 1 - 5 of 87. See more Real estate in the 07078 zip code.
(all data current as of 5/18/2013)

  1. 6 beds, 5 full, 1 part baths
    Home size: 6,990 sq ft
    Lot size: 20,908 sqft
    Year built: 2009
    Parking spots: 2
    Days on market: 29
  2. 5 beds, 4 full, 2 part baths
    Home size: 4,600 sq ft
    Lot size: 22,651 sqft
    Year built: 1972
    Parking spots: 2
    Days on market: 13
  3. 3 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths
    Lot size: 14,810 sqft
    Year built: 1963
    Parking spots: 2
    Days on market: 20
  4. 5 beds, 4 full, 1 part baths
    Home size: 4,475 sq ft
    Lot size: 23,958 sqft
    Year built: 1940
    Parking spots: 2
    Days on market: 84
  5. 6 beds, 4 full, 2 part baths
    Home size: 5,542 sq ft
    Lot size: 1.50 ac
    Year built: 1907
    Parking spots: 4
    Days on market: 2

The data relating to real estate for sale on this website comes in part from the IDX Program of Garden State Multiple Listing Service, L.L.C. Real estate listings held by other brokerage firms are marked as IDX Listing. Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Copyright © year Garden State Multiple Listing Service, L.L.C. All rights reserved. Notice: The dissemination of listings on this website does not constitute the consent required by N.J.A.C. 11:5.6.1 (n) for the advertisement of listings exclusively for sale by another broker. Any such consent must be obtained in writing from the listing broker.

 

 

 

 

Sending Camp Care Packages From Your Short Hills Homes

 Sending Camp Care Packages From Your Short Hills HomesChances are if you live near Short Hills Homes, and you have kids, then they are probably attending an overnight camp this summer. Do you have your care packages ready to send? If not, consider these top three companies when deciding what to send to your kids this summer at camp!

There are many companies to choose from that service Short Hills Homes, but when it comes to your kids, only the best will do!  If you are lacking time or creative energy, these companies will make it so easy for you!

Sealed With A Kiss, is the “original” camp care package company and has been around since 1984. Their packages range from $25 – $55.  They feature many different themed packages including:  “Teen’s Cool Pamper Caddy”, “Stretchy, Slimy & Strange” or “Groovy Girl”.  Visit their website here.

Camp Pacs gives you the ability to personalize your pack – starting at just $10 for the Cabin Mate Pac, which contains 2-3 personally selected items for your camper.  They have tons of items to choose from so your child will feel like you picked it out yourself! Visit their website here.

Gourmet Gift Baskets offer packages from $34.99 – $59.99, and they are packed to the rim with activities for your kids!  Featuring a “Glow In The Dark Care Package” and an “Arts & Crafts Care Package”- your child will definitely feel special receiving a package like this! Visit their website here.

Here’s to wishing you parents a week of peacefulness and relaxation as your little munchkins enjoy the great outdoors!

If you would like to learn more about my local community or discover the meaning behind A New Suburbanism click here or call me at 973.202.7270

Livingston Home to Annual Music Festival

dreamstime 15751765 199x300 Livingston Home to Annual Music FestivalDo you have an aspiring young musician living in your Livingston home?  Well if so, you may just want to be the cool adult in their life and treat them to an evening of musical inspiration! Don’t miss the 2nd annual Music Festival “Love – in Livingston” taking place this Thursday, May 26 at the Livingston Town Center located at 4260 Town Center Way.  The performances start at 4pm and end at 10pm, admission is free.  There will be food available for purchase and exciting activities for younger children including face painting! The event premiered last year as part of Livingston’s Youth Appreciation Week.  An added bonus is that the teens are learning about giving back to their community.

The music festival will feature 16 up and coming bands.  One local NJ boy who calls Livingston home, partnered with another young lad who calls Summit home, together they formed the band “Beyond The Summit.” Also included in the night’s line up is “Radio Silence NYC” – who were just featured in People magazine! These youth are extremely talented  – show your “Love – for Livingston” and check it out Thursday night!

Speaking of “Love” there’s just nothing like music to get you in the mood for a smooch…hey, where’s my Bailey?

Click here for a list of FREE summer concerts in New Jersey.

If you would like to learn more about my local community or discover the meaning behind A New Suburbanism click here or call me at 973.202.7270

How well do you understand the laws of “Agency” when buying a home in the Millburn Short Hills Area?

Every state has its own rules regarding real estate relationships – also know as “agency” relationships. Here in Millburn- Short Hills, and all of New Jersey, real estate buyers and sellers have a choice of four different ways to be represented in a real estate transaction.

The choice you make determines the service you get, so it’s important that you read New Jersey’s Consumer Information Statement and understand what it means before you make a choice and sign.

Very briefly…

• A seller’s agent represents the seller’s best interests.
• A buyer’s agent represents the buyer’s best interests.
• A disclosed dual agent works for both parties and cannot work in the best interests of either side.
• A transaction broker is merely a go-between, representing no one and giving no advice.

As an Accredited Buyer Representative here in the Millburn- Short Hills Area, I believe all buyers should be represented by a buyer’s agent.

Why?

Because buyer representation allows us to offer our advice and to gather and convey information that helps the buyer. For instance, if we know a seller will take less than the listed price of his or her home, we can tell our buyer. We can also disclose facts we’ve learned about the seller’s motivation / reasons for selling, point out potential defects in the home that call for professional inspections, complete a comparative market analysis to help buyers determine the true value of the home, and use all of our negotiating expertise in helping our buyers get the price and terms they want.

At the same time, buyer representation prohibits us from disclosing any confidential information about our buyers to the seller or the seller’s agent.

Real Estate Relationships can be confusing, so I urge you to read the CIS completely. Then, if you have questions, pick up the phone and call me. I’ll be happy to explain it all more fully – including letting you know what I can and can’t do under each of the different kinds of representation.

Then, when you’re ready to search for a home in the of areas of Millburn, Short Hills, Maplewood, Chatham, Livingston, or Summit, get in touch. I’ll be pleased to send you a copy of my buyer’s questionnaire so we can get started!

Questions? call me 973.202.7270  

 

The data relating to real estate for sale on this website comes in part from the IDX Program of Garden State Multiple Listing Service, L.L.C. Real estate listings held by other brokerage firms are marked as IDX Listing. Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Copyright © year Garden State Multiple Listing Service, L.L.C. All rights reserved. Notice: The dissemination of listings on this website does not constitute the consent required by N.J.A.C. 11:5.6.1 (n) for the advertisement of listings exclusively for sale by another broker. Any such consent must be obtained in writing from the listing broker.

This IDX solution is (c) Diverse Solutions 2013.