12.30.2009
JERSEY SHORE HOMES - HOWELL
12.28.2009
JERSEY SHORE HOMES - BRIELLE
12.23.2009
JERSEY SHORE HOMES - MANAHAWKIN
12.15.2009
JERSEY SHORE HOMES - WALL
12.14.2009
JERSEY SHORE HOMES - BEACH HAVEN
12.11.2009
JERSEY SHORE HOMES - MANASQUAN
12.10.2009
JERSEY SHORE HOMES - BAYVILLE
12.09.2009
FEATURED LISTING - WARETOWN
12.08.2009
FEATURED LISTING - BEACH HAVEN
12.07.2009
FEATURED LISTING - POINT PLEASANT
12.04.2009
FEATURED LISTING - POINT PLEASANT
12.02.2009
FEATURED LISTING - AVON-BY-THE-SEA
12.01.2009
FEATURED LISTING - BRICK
11.30.2009
FEATURED LISTING - BRICK
11.24.2009
FEATURED LISTING - POINT PLEASANT BEACH
11.23.2009
FEATURED LISTING - POINT PLEASANT
11.20.2009
FEATURED LISTING - BELMAR
11.19.2009
FEATURED LISTING - POINT PLEASANT
11.18.2009
FEATURED LISTING - BRICK
11.17.2009
FEATURED LISTING - WARETOWN
11.16.2009
FEATURED LISTING
11.13.2009
FEATURED LISTING
11.12.2009
FEATURED LISTING
11.11.2009
FEATURED LISTING
11.10.2009
FEATURED LISTING
11.09.2009
FEATURED LISTING
11.05.2009
The Importance of Mortgage Pre-Approval
You may have convinced yourself that you can afford a home with a double car garage and a family room only to learn later on that it's not the case. Readjusting to homes that are less expensive is disappointing and takes all the fun out of the home buying process.
There are various tools on the Internet that can estimate what you qualify for but it’s best to visit a mortgage specialist for an accurate assessment. They can review your finances and check your credit in order to structure your application in the best light.
Most lenders will also place a hold on the current interest rate for a certain time period to protect you against rate increases. On a $150,000 mortgage, the difference between 5% and 6% is $87 per month or $5,220 over a five year term! Many buyers will leave this to the last minute and potentially miss out on the best rate. Don't be one of them -- make sure you're ahead of the game.
Working with a professional will also help you understand the various options associated with mortgages. Although interest rates are important, there are many other things to consider such as the type of mortgage (fixed/variable or open/closed) as well as the loan's duration. You’ll want to examine all the options to determine which one best suits your current and future financial situations.
Another advantage of mortgage pre-approval comes when it’s time to make an offer on your dream home. Unconditional offers are significantly more attractive to sellers and can knock thousands off the purchase price. In the case of multiple offers, it can mean the difference between getting the home or losing it. If you still need to make the offer conditional on financing, you'll at least be able to attach the pre-approval to your offer.
A mortgage pre-approval can save thousands of dollars and eliminate countless hours of stress. It can even prevent you from losing your dream home as you'll be in a stronger negotiating position. Getting pre-approved is easy, there’s no obligation and it doesn’t cost a cent. Contact a Turton Signature Mortgage Loan Expert today! Visit www.turtonsignaturemortgage.com.
FEATURED LISTING
10.13.2009
Furnace Tune Ups -- Not Just a Bunch of Hot Air
When we're down in the basement, we usually walk past the furnace without giving it a second thought -- until the weather changes and it’s time to turn it on! Having your furnace checked out by a licensed technician will ensure confidence when the time comes to fire it up.
The last thing you want is for your heat to fail on the coldest night of the year when service calls cost a fortune so treat your furnace like your car and have it maintained on a regular basis. An annual inspection which covers the motor, fan, burner, heat exchanger and thermostat will help you avoid costly repairs.
Give your furnace a quick visual inspection from time to time and make sure you clean or replace your furnace filters regularly as dirty air filters block air flow which causes the system to work overtime. Also, keep the area around the furnace clear of obstructions and never store any kind of flammable material nearby.
An efficiently running furnace will reduce heating costs but there are other easy ways to save money. Seal up air leaks with caulk or weather strips and always open your drapes on sunny days and close them at night to keep the heat in. The easiest way to save though is to turn down the thermostat and add an extra layer of clothing!
Regular maintenance will increase efficiency, reduce energy use and prevent general wear and tear. Having your furnace serviced so it works at its optimum performance level is more of an investment than an expense as it'll keep your hard earned cash where it belongs -- in your wallet!
What's Your Home Worth?
Your home's a huge asset so you'll of course want to keep tabs on its value. A real estate agent can assist you by providing a “Comparative Market Analysis” (CMA) which is a report that determines your home's value by comparing it to similar properties that have recently sold. This will enable you to set a competitive price should you decide to sell.
Online home evaluations are quick and easy but aren't very accurate as they don't take the finer details into account. If you choose to go online, it's best to use a local real estate agent who specializes in your area rather than a national website. It's best though to have a real estate agent come by in person to gather information as it will result in a much more accurate CMA.
Professional appraisers charge up to $750 so a CMA is an excellent alternative. The report, which is usually complimentary and comes with no obligation, is essential to setting a competitive asking price. The right price is crucial to achieving a successful sale as it'll help attract the greatest number of buyers which in turn will help your home sell faster and for top dollar. A CMA's also helpful during negotiations as concrete facts will help justify your asking price.
After your agent has gathered information on your home, they’ll research properties in your area that have recently sold as well as current homes on the market and recently expired listings. They'll compare homes in the area that are similar in style, square footage, age, lot size, etc. and adjust for factors such as extra bathrooms or finished basements. The home's condition and other issues like surrounding houses (i.e. is it the biggest house on the street) will also play a part in determining fair market value.
You don’t have to necessarily be ready to sell your home to receive a CMA from a real estate agent. If you’re thinking about renovating your home for instance, your real estate agent can provide an estimate on how much value certain renovations will add to your home so you can move confidently forward knowing the facts. On the other hand, if you're curious about what the house down the street sold for, they can help you out with that too.
If you’re thinking about selling your home, make sure to have an agent provide you with a CMA. This important service will ensure you have an accurate, up to date idea of your home’s true market value. This will in turn help you get top dollar for your home, because incorrectly pricing your home is a mistake that could end up costing you thousands of dollars and months of frustration.
9.18.2009
Thinking Outside the (Lunch) Box!
It’s that time of year again when we have to think of inspiring school lunch ideas! It’s frustrating when the lunch you lovingly pack for your little one is either traded or comes home uneaten, so here are a few fresh ideas:
- Instead of the usual ham sandwich, mix it up by making mini pizzas on english muffins, tuna on pita bread, turkey tortillas pinwheels or bagels with apple butter.
- Kids love to assemble things themselves so put in the fixings and encourage them to build their own sandwich – they’re more likely to eat it that way!
- Make healthy desserts by using dates or dried fruits in cookies Carrot cake and homemade banana bread will also be a big hit! Make extra and freeze portions for down the road.
There are lots of simple ways to jazz up lunch box choices and sometimes it’s as simple as cutting sandwiches into fun shapes using cookie cutters or adding new, exotic fruit. It's not always easy getting your kids to eat the right types of food but a little creativity will go a long way.
9.16.2009
The Importance of Specifying Fixtures
Taking Everything But the Kitchen Sink!
Your excitement is boundless as you walk through your new home a few days before closing. Good feelings quickly turn sour though as you discover that the beautiful, antique chandelier you fell in love with has vanished.
Now imagine you're the seller. You're feeling sentimental at the thought of leaving your home of so many years. You’re getting ready to move and are carefully packing up the chandelier your grandmother passed on to you when you receive an irate call from the buyers who are livid that it’s been removed!
Unfortunately this scenario plays out all too often because the importance of addressing fixtures early on in the real estate process is often overlooked. Real estate law isn’t always black and white in terms of what stays and what goes so if you’re planning on selling your home, you’ll want to make a list in advance of what you’re including and excluding.
A fixture is usually something that’s attached to the building in such a way that buyers will assume it's included such as light fixtures, ceiling fans and doorknobs. Personal items (often referred to as chattels) are items such as potted plants, hanging mirrors and artwork. Window coverings can be a murky area but curtain rods are usually considered fixtures while the actual curtains are not.
If a fixture has sentimental value, it’s best to remove it before the showing process rather than writing it into the exclusions. If a seller doesn’t know it’s there then they won’t miss it. If they see it during the showing, chances are they’ll fall in love with it and will be annoyed to discover later on that it’s not included with the home.
If you're taking a fixture with you but don’t want to take it down before you move, you must clearly state it in writing. If you’re a buyer, make sure you read the listing carefully and ask your real estate agent for assistance if something’s not clear. Some non-fixtures are negotiable, for example appliances are often written into a contract to make the home more attractive to first time buyers.
Ensure you proactively detail your exclusions (as well as inclusions) as soon as you put your home on the market in order to avoid upset buyers and unnecessary legal fees. Whether you’re selling or buying, you’ll want a smooth transaction where both parties have ownership over what they expected and are happy with the outcome.
1.30.2009
The Hard Reality of a Soft Market
If you're listing your home during a downswing, you'll need to follow a specific plan of action to ensure you receive the most amount of money possible.
Here are some strategies to assist you in selling your home during slower times:
- Buyer Incentives - Many sellers offer incentives such as appliances, furniture or help with closing costs to make their home more attractive during a competitive market. These little extras can really make a difference especially to first time buyers who don't have much left after their down payment.
- Price to Sell - Pricing your home correctly in a competitive market is absolutely critical. It's best to set the price a little less than comparable homes in order to acquire a competitive edge. Overpricing your home can be disastrous as not only will it quickly lose its 'just listed' appeal but the market could decline further causing you to 'chase the market' into a downward spiral of price reductions.
- Use an Agent - You may want to reconsider if you're thinking of selling your home yourself to save commission. A real estate agent exposes your property to a larger supply of potential prospects which creates more demand. Your chances of selling for a higher price are far better with an agent. It's tough times like these when you need an agent the most.
- Consider All Offers - You may have to be somewhat flexible with your price so it's important to seriously consider all offers no matter how low they are. Keep your emotions out of the negotiation process and remember that every offer has the potential to significantly increase despite your first impression.
- Get Ready, Get Set, Show - In a competitive market, you have to be ready to show your home on a moments notice so keep it ultra clean and clutter free. Walk through each room and pack away personal items like photos and sentimental knick knacks. Space is a huge selling feature so remove any unnecessary furniture to make your home appear larger.
- 1st Class Curb Appeal - First impressions are especially critical in a competitive market. With so many homes to choose from, buyers may not even bother seeing the inside based on the home's exterior. Stand outside your home with a friend who'll be honest so you can figure out different ways to make it more appealing to prospects.
For every dark cloud, there's a silver lining. Although the market may have slumped, try and stay positive throughout the entire process knowing that you'll likely negotiate a great deal on the purchase price of your next home! Just make sure your financing's arranged so that when you receive a suitable offer on your property, you'll be in a position to confidently move ahead.
How to Make the Super Bowl Fun for Toddlers
- Superbowl clothing
- Football-related crafts and games
- Dress the child in team gear. Make your toddler look like a true fan and outfit him with team gear or colors. He will get lots of compliments, enhance his mood and encourage interest in the Superbowl.
- Let the toddler help in the kitchen. Toddlers love to be helpful. They can assist with the food preparation by mixing brownie batter, pouring chips into bowls and helping throw away trash.
- Encourage the child to get involved in the Superbowl. This is one of few nights that your toddler can yell, jump and run all over the house to cheer the team. Since many party guests are likely to be behaving in the same fashion, it will not be a challenge to get your toddler to join in the fun.
- Bring football-related crafts and games to do in the car or when the Superbowl action slows down. Since a toddler's span of attention is not extremely long, bring something to distract him when needed. Simple arts and crafts ideas include football coloring sheets or activity books.
- Forget about bedtime. As difficult as it may be, don't stress over bedtime. One night off schedule will not cause irrevocable harm. In fact, it will probably encourage the toddler to sleep a little more the next day.