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Found a Chatham NJ Home For My Elderly Mother, Finally!

July 26, 2013 by rbenjamin Leave a Comment

Finding a Chatham NJ home for my motherAs a Chatham NJ home and real estate agent, I’ve toured many homes for sale in New Jersey. I’ve fallen in love with my local towns and many Millburn-Short Hills homes  I’ve visited with New Jersey home buyers and sellers. I’ve seen beautiful Summit estates and Maplewood condos, but until recently I’d never considered where an elderly person (like a parent) would live once they needed care and were “forced” to move from their home.

Unfortunately, I found myself not only considering it, but having to make a decision, quickly. My mother fractured her hip while alone in her NYC apartment and it wasn’t her first fall. My sister and I were advised to find an assisted living facility as her new residence. The costs in New Jersey were staggering running anywhere from $4-$10,000 a month depending on the level of care and accommodations.

I started our “home” search immediately, wanting to be within close proximity to my Chatham home. I visited no less than 12 residences before I finally found the one that I “thought” would meet my mother’s standards and give us enough time to work on my mother’s reluctance and fear to make this change.

Unfortunately, the place I chose was not as close as I would have hoped and the commute for me was difficult. My mother thought the place was “very fancy” with all the bells and whistles but they promised more than they delivered. The level of dementia among the residents was extremely high and finding people for my mother to “talk to” was rare. So, the decision was made to make another move.

I went to visit a few more facilities in the area and decided that location was critical and we chose Juniper Village in Chatham, which is one mile from my Chatham NJ home. My mother had now moved 3 times in 4 months, not of her own will, and was not adjusting to her new circumstances well. Being 87 years young and having her independence taken away has been a challenge.

As it was no longer feasible for her to be on her own and she had some strong opinions, the time had come to hire an Elder Care Attorney who would be able to handle the legal roadblocks that might hinder elder-care choices (and there are many!). Talking to your family about finances, durable power of attorney, and all legal factors is no picnic! We chose Hauptman and Hauptman in Livingston, NJ to facilitate our discussions and process and have found them to be a life saver.

My mother’s move from her apartment in NYC has been a six week journey. She has kept that apartment for 40 years and never thrown out a paper cup. Suffice it to say, the move was not something I could do alone. My friend and colleague, Pam Carlson of Ready Set Organize was a gift from the Gods!

Pam was at our side every step of the way. From completely taking charge of the move to consoling my distraught mother and even taking the time to buy her flowers on their way home from the city, she made the move possible! My mother and I are still adjusting to the changes in our lives. We “boomers” have to be prepared and know what our options are, and the true lesson learned from this is that professionals know the questions you won’t even think to ask, when it comes to life transitions such as these.

If you can relate or find yourself in a similar situation and need help selling your parent’s home, please give me a call. I can help!

Filed Under: Blog, Chatham NJ, Robin Benjamin Tagged With: assisted-living facility, Chatham Home, Chatham NJ home, Elder Care Attorney, Juniper Village, Maplewood condos, Millburn Short Hills homes, New Jersey home, New Jersey home buyers, New Jersey home buyers and sellers, real estate agent, Summit estates

New Normal for Millburn/Short Hills Homes

November 16, 2012 by rbenjamin 1 Comment

New day in a Millburn Short Hills homeRecovery.  Each day is yet another step to recovery for our towns.  As I enjoy the natural beauty that is so evident in my New Jersey towns, I see recovery and I recognize that each of us in our Summit, Chatham, or Millburn/Short Hills homes have had to declare a “new normal.”  This is the time where we need to recognize our hope and strength as a community, as families, and as individuals and move forward with gratitude at what we still have.

Because we still have a lot.

As I snuggled with my pup in my Chatham NJ home, I am grateful for electricity (it was finally turned back on over the weekend), fantastic friends (who took me in and warmed me up), the kindness of strangers (spotlighted in my storm posts), and the fact that my Chatham home is standing.  Driving through our boroughs I have seen devastation and community service at it’s side.  I’ve seen friends lifting one another in diners and city officials lending a hand to help someone in need as they try to uncover what is left of their Millburn/Short Hills homes.

However, those good deeds aren’t what I am referring to when I say the “new normal.”  Those acts of service have always been seen in our MIDtown Direct towns and will continue to be seen, no matter the hurricane, tropical storm, or flood.  Our New Jersey towns and the people who live in Millburn/Short Hills, Summit, and Chatham have always been willing to meet stormy weather with fortitude and grace.  We are strong and we love our MIDtown Direct towns.

Our “new normal” is more of an adjustment phase as we recognize the short-term changes and adjustments needed to succeed on a daily basis post-storm.  Adjustments like taking a different train into the city or finding a new route home. How about filling up your car with gas and owning a generator now seem to come with the territory. I, like you, am finding ways to accept to these changes and adapt to my “new normal.”  If you have any pointers on how to make it easier, please comment on this post.  Thank you!

 

Filed Under: Blog, Chatham NJ, Millburn/Short Hills, Summit Tagged With: Chatham Home, Chatham NJ home, midtown direct towns, Millburn/Short Hills homes, New Jersey towns

To Stay or To Go – Sandy’s Effect on New Jersey Homes, People and Pets

November 5, 2012 by rbenjamin Leave a Comment

Pets displaced from New Jersey homes, tooHurricane Sandy has left many of us who live in Midtown Direct towns in New Jersey in a difficult situation. With cold weather and another nor’easter on the way, the ability to stay warm in our New Jersey homes is a critical issue. Blankets and jackets can only do so much. And while some New Jersey homes have power, many do not. For those without power, like me in my Chatham NJ home, the options are limited. We can burn wood or fuel, but those items exhaust themselves quickly. Possibly restaurants and movie theaters have heat, but those cost money and have limited hours, so are not a complete solution, either.
After a little over a week of coping without electricity and other amenities, I’ve decided to take a friend’s offer and get out of town for a little while. Others are doing the same on a day-trip basis and three charter buses are transporting residents tomorrow, leaving the Madison Municipal Lot #3 at 7 a.m., for a trip into NYC for a round-trip charge of $20. Find out more at the Chatham website here.
Pets are not allowed on the bus for obvious reasons, which brings up another point. Now, I realize my next topic may not be the most important issue when it comes to priorities but for pet people who have been made homeless, our pets have become a big issue! We’re between a rock and a hard place. We board them if we’re lucky enough to be able to afford the incredible prices of boarding at $100 dollars a day or we stay in our freezing homes and pray for power! The truth is, none of our friends (as much as they love us) are going to take us in with our beloved pets.
When leaving,  I had to find lodging for Bailey so I could spend a few days away because quite honestly I just am not sure I’m up for another storm quite yet. Luckily Morristown Inn in Morristown NJ had space available.  We are expecting this next storm on Wednesday and with the ground as wet as it is and the trees being as precarious as they are, it could be more troublesome than a typical nor’easter. People need to be prepared once again, physically and emotionally. We’ll all be praying for each other. If you have online access, click here for important numbers and information on how to get help.

Filed Under: Blog, Chatham NJ, Midtown Direct Events, Millburn/Short Hills, Summit Tagged With: Chatham NJ, Chatham NJ home, live in Midtown Direct towns, live in Midtown Direct towns in New Jersey, Midetown direct towns, New Jersey homes, NJ home, towns in New Jersey

A Hard Day and A Good Day at My Chatham NJ Home

October 30, 2012 by rbenjamin Leave a Comment

Today was a good day.

A day to witness miracles and a testament to the strength of our communities.

Leaving my Chatham NJ home to visit and see family and friends alive and well and standing next to their Millburn/Short Hills homes (many of which were still standing) was amazing. Visiting the Millburn Deli brought a tear to my eye as I watched them remove the boards from windows, a sign that things were going to be okay. Many of you can remember when that wasn’t the case.

Preparing for disaster in Millburn NJ, near my Chatham home

Yes, there was devastation in our community yesterday.

Yes, it will take time (many months, likely) to recover and rebuild.

Yes, it was a hard day.

But, it was still good.

And I will sleep well tonight knowing that my friends, family, pets and loved ones and their homes in Summit, Millburn/Short Hills, and Chatham are still here. We will continue to draw strength from one another and make each day good until one day everything will be great in our small communities again.

Devastation hits near my Chatham NJ home

You see, we as a community are resilient. Our towns have weathered major storms, like Hurricane Irene and last years ice storm on Halloween and now Hurricane Sandy, and have bounced back. In fact, we are already bouncing – Halloween has been re-scheduled to Monday in many of our towns so that we can embrace our neighborly spirit despite the tragedy that has occurred. I am excited to have a chance to have trick or treaters visit my Chatham NJ home this week and recount the blessings of having children who are able to dress up and walk through our community.

Please join me in embracing the challenges that lie ahead – the challenges that will try our patience and resolve and may at times seem insurmountable.

Devastation hits near my Chatham NJ home
Together as a community, whether you live in Summit NJ or have a home in Millburn/Short Hills, Chatham, or another of the affected areas, we need be strong, patient and move forward.  We have no choice.

Millburn, Summit & Chatham NJ Home Resources & Emergency Numbers

Listed below are some emergency resources that may be of help as you seek to rebuild and repair whatever challenges you may face individually and as a family. If I can be of service to you, please give me a call.

  • PSE&G: 1-800-436-PSEG ( 1-800-436-7734)
  • JCP&L/First Energy: 1-888-LIGHTSS ( 1-888-544-4877)
  • Radio Stations with Updates: 98.7FM or 1050AM Radio
  • Mental Health Help: 877-294-HELP (1-877-294-4357)
  • Red Cross
  • NJ Social Services
  • NJ Updates & Other Info
  • Road & Tunnel Updates: dial 511
  • Information & Disaster Referral: Dial 211
  • Individual County Website Links
  • Summit Info
  • Millburn/Short Hills Info
  • Chatham Info

Filed Under: Blog, Chatham NJ, Midtown Direct Events, Millburn/Short Hills, Summit Tagged With: Chatham NJ home, home in Millburn/Short Hills, homes in Summit, Hurricane Sandy, live in Summit NJ, Millburn homes, NJ home

Fair Helps “Green Up” Your Chatham NJ Home

September 18, 2012 by rbenjamin 1 Comment

Green Fair Coming to Your Chatham HomeWhether you are already living a “green” lifestyle or want to learn more about ways you can be more eco-friendly, you’ll find a number of tips, tricks, and resources at The Green Fair of the Chathams this weekend!  On Saturday, September 22nd, you’ll find plenty to do, see, and learn for greening up your Chatham NJ home from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Reasoner Park, on Fairmount Avenue, and Railroad Plaza North.

Themed, “What You Can Do to Live a Greener Lifestyle,” the fair is set up as as how-to event to help all residents who live in Chatham NJ gain information.  If you feel your life is “too busy” to be green, this is definitely the place to go this weekend.  Fair organizers suggest walking or biking to the event, unless you live far enough away to take the train.

Several interesting events can help you to clear the clutter in your Chatham NJ home, when you attend the fair.  A community shredding/recycling project will be held and confidential documents can be micro-shredded anytime between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. at the Railroad Plaza North.  Also, if you have a need to donate items from your home in Chatham NJ, you’ll find them put to good use at the Fair, as well.  Residents can donate “gently used” furniture and building materials to the Habitat for Humanity ReStore, at Railroad Plaza North, and used bicycles are welcome, too.  Used books can also be swapped at the event or donated to the Chatham Library, giving you more opportunities to build your community in your green efforts.

Even children enjoy the green experience found in the hour-long show provided by Rizzo’s Reptiles, at 11:30 a.m. However this event is open to any age and enjoyment will be had by all as a local community band plays, food booths are attended, and free filtered water (if you bring a water bottle) and yoga classes are by Powerflow Yoga (in the morning 9:30 a.m.).  Vendors and the nearby Farmers’ Market will have plenty to offer attendees, too.  This “green” day is sure to be great and will have you feeling better about you and your efforts toward helping the environment and will continue rain or shine.  Plan to attend!  You can also find out more about living a “green” lifestyle by visiting the Chatham Township Envitonmental Commission online.

 

Filed Under: Blog, Chatham NJ Tagged With: Chatham NJ, Chatham NJ home, home in Chatham, home in Chatham NJ, live in Chatham, live in Chatham NJ, NJ home

Chatham NJ Home Owners Encouraged to Recycle

August 24, 2012 by rbenjamin 1 Comment

Chatham NJ home owners recycleThe Chatham Borough is encouraging (or rather pleading) with residents who live in Chatham NJ to join in their newly launched recycling efforts. In a recycling challenge issued by SC Johnson Green Choices on July 1st, communities were asked to have residents register and check in weekly on their recycling habits. Chatham NJ home owners have from now until December 31st to gauge their progress and provide a change for Chatham to win a $100,000 community sustainability grant.  Help Chatham NJ win!

Register Your Chatham NJ Home Efforts

Click here to register and get started. Now is a fantastic time to start new habits as school is just beginning and schedules are being adjusted. In the coming weeks you are likely to see an increase in the amount of paper that you can recycle, too, as Chatham NJ teachers send reminders home with your students. That alone may give you cause to get a jump on recycling! You can also find even more ideas on recycling after registering on the Recyclebank website. Chatham NJ officials will be notified on January 15, 2013 if our recycling efforts place us as a Potential Community Winner and the official determination will be announced on March 1, 2013.

Filed Under: Blog, Chatham NJ, Schools Tagged With: Chatham NJ, Chatham NJ home, live in Chatham, live in Chatham NJ, NJ home

Your Chatham NJ Home : “Must Love Dogs!”

July 26, 2012 by rbenjamin 1 Comment

Remember the first time you fell in love? Remember how you wanted the world to know? Maybe you even considered climbing on top of the rooftop of your Chatham NJ home to share your good fortune?

Well, I have to tell you, I have had that experience. Only my shout is about a local business owner, not my first love. My shout goes out to all dog owners living in the New Jersey area. If you are a “Must Love Dogs!” kind of person like me, then there is someone you NEED to know about.

As most of you know, I am a dog lover, having owned Golden Retrievers for most of my life. Even now I have a 16 month old yellow lab as my side-kick. However, a few years ago I had a different pup named Zoe. Zoe was adorable and a true joy. At a young age, she became ill at a time I was unable to give her the attention she needed. I sought help and I was given the name of “Karen Byrnes.”

I’d heard of Karen, actually seen her walking dogs near my Chatham NJ home, and everybody seemed to love her. When we met to discuss Zoe’s needs, we immediately clicked, and I knew that Zoe would be well loved while I was away and nurtured by Karen’s kids. She took my Zoe into her home, gave her tons of love and attention, and cooked her special meals when she had lost her appetite. Zoe died a week later, from what we think was Lymphoma. I will never forget what Karen did for Zoe and that is why I am sharing this post with you.

Many of you work during the day, or take “day” trips or field trips with your kids and families. When you go away for vacation, you have to decide what to do with your dog, often enough. You may be lucky to have family close by your Chatham NJ home to care for your pups, but I have the next best thing and another solution for you to consider…Karen.

Karen will meet with you to decide your dog’s specific needs. She will suggest what she think is best for your dog, while you are away. Karen takes the time to personalize each puppy plan, whether it be four (4) walks a day from your home, a live-in situation, or a boarding situation. You work together with Karen to decide what will be best for you and your dog. She also cares for cats, but that’s a different story. 🙂

Karen is a local, having grown up in Summit NJ, and was raised with Boxers, and Tibetan Terriers. Her mother, Anke Cornell, worked for Dr. Badgely at Badgley Animal Hospital for 16 years, so Karen always had dog walking jobs throughout high school and in college. In 2005, Karen got a Portuguese Water Dog (Chloe) and decided to start her own business. She and her fiance and five children now live in New Providence, NJ. Karen is fully insured and bonded to protect your animals and your home, during her care. She has a team that work with her which are all close friends and major dog lovers. You will be delighted by the services they provide. Karen services over 100 clients in Summit, Chatham, Millburn, Short Hills and the surrounding towns. Please feel free to reach out to Karen with any questions or for any pet needs (908-875-7564). You’ll be glad you did.

Filed Under: Blog, Chatham NJ, Featured Blog Posts Tagged With: Chatham NJ home, NJ home

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You know Robin, while we have thanked you before, again I want to express how incredibly grateful we both have been for your help, advice, and recommendations. You truly have gone beyond the call of "broker" duty! Thanks!!-Dean

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Understanding the nuances of pricing requires local knowledge that isn't always available to buyers and sellers. This is particularly true in a location like Millburn-Short Hills, Chatham, and Summit.
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