Latest Articles by SusanZ

Home Improvement: Use Help to Get Things Done

Wed, 09 Jan 2008 00:00:00 -0600

Let's face it: it's too easy to put off projects around the home. With a busy work schedule, kids and other interests, not to mention the need for some down time, it's a wonder anything gets done around the house and yard. But a group in Madison NJ have an inspiring way to motivate themselves and get their projects finished. These families take turns helping each other work on their homes.

Once a month between June and October, the group of four families gets together at the home of who ever's turn it is to have their project worked on. The group meets early in the morning, sharing coffee and breakfast while discussing what is to be done that day. The host family is responsible for feeding their workers. The group also shares childcare for these work days, an imperative step towards getting the job done! The workers don't complain, but set themselves to the task at hand, knowing that when their turn comes, they'll reap the rewards of this buddy system.

There are a few reasons why this system works. First, it makes procrastination impossible. With a set schedule, and the commitment of others, it is almost impossible to avoid doing the job. Which brings me to the second point, which is that this system makes home improvement a social opportunity. While the families are definitely doing some hard work, they are also making time to talk and joke around a bit, things that make the work not seem so much like work.

Third, have you ever heard the expression "many hands make light work?" By working together, their jobs are done faster, so unpleasant renovations are not hanging over their heads for so long. Not to mention that something isn't as heavy when someone else is helping you hold it, or as awkward when someone steady's it for you. By sharing the job, whatever job it is, these families are making it easier on themselves.

The families have set good boundaries for themselves, as well. They work until 2 p.m. That way no one feels like they've lost their entire day. The host family gets five hours of labor to either complete, or at least get a good start on a major project around their home. No one gets burnt-out or over-worked, and everyone gets the satisfaction of knowing they are a part of a unique and working relationship.

This idea is inspiring, and more families would do well to take the example of this NJ group. I bet if everyone had a group to work with like this, all our houses and yards would be in better shape. Hey, property values could rise and we'd all be better off.

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This article was written on behalf of Susan Zanzonico, New Jersey real estate professional. Considering a move? Search for real estate in Summit NJ.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com

Protect Your Home From Theft

Wed, 09 Jan 2008 00:00:00 -0600

Nobody wants their home to be broken into. Not only is it emotionally traumatizing, and a threat to one's personal belongings, it can also cause permanent damage to a home. While insurance should cover all the costs involved, let's see what we can do to prevent this kind of damage from ever occurring.

One of the major cautions to people considering selling their home without a realtor is the potential for letting criminals into the home during a showing. An agent should always be present when your home is being shown to a prospective buyer. This will reduce the likelihood of a thief using the opportunity to scope your home for a future break-in.

Consider acquiring a UV marker, and marking your address on your valuables. Then, get a sticker for the prominent windows in your home, announcing to potential thieves that the valuables in the home are marked. This will be a big deterrent to them, as it increases their chances of getting caught.

If you are going away, consider getting a timer to turn lights on and off in your home while you are out. If lights and even a radio turn on at times that mimic your natural patterns, it will be far less obvious that the house is empty. Further, cancel any newspaper subscriptions that will conspicuously build up on your doorstep. If possible, leave a vehicle in your driveway. If you have a friend or family member you are sure you can trust, ask them to come by to open and close curtains, turn lights on or off, and generally help your home look lived in.

Obviously, make sure that your doors are always locked when you leave the house. Installing sturdy locks on your windows is a good idea as well. And don't just stop at the first floor. Pay attention to ledges, pipes or fire escapes that may give a thief access to the upper floor windows. If your doors are old and thin, consider replacing them with newer doors. A thickness of about 1.75 inches is recommended. Also consider the location of a door window. Can it be easily broken, allowing a thief to reach your interior locks or the door handle.

Further, avoid any opportunity for a potential thief to access your home keys. While this may not cause as much damage to your home as forced entry, it is still undesirable. Therefore, never give your key to any contractors. Avoid labeling your address, apartment number or name on your keys. If they are lost, it is best that they remain anonymous rather than tempt an opportunist thief. If you are concerned about having lost keys returned to you, invest in the services of a retrieval agency that gives you a tag with a code on it.

Finally, be sure to change the locks whenever you move into a new home. You just never know who may have a key.

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This article was written on behalf of Susan Zanzonico, Summitt NJ real estate professional. Contact her for help with all your New Jersey real estate needs.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com

Morris County's Appeal to New Yorkers

Wed, 28 Nov 2007 00:00:00 -0600

A commuter rail boom in the New York and New Jersey has enabled many professionals in the area to live further from the big city. One of the places they're moving is Morris County, New Jersey, a group of historic small towns 20 miles to the west. Settled more than 300 years ago, the area offers a well-established, attractive residential base, and solid property investment potential. Morris County includes more than 30 municipalities, and a wide variety of charming unincorporated areas. Homes here are often beautifully restored Victorian and Colonial-era buildings dating back to the early 20th century, which add to an already high quality of life in this attractive area.

Big City professionals also know Morris County for its wide variety of Fortune 500 headquarters, offices, and major facilities. Companies with operations here include AT&T, Honeywell, Bayer and Wyeth, BASF, Novartis, Exxon, and Colgate-Palmolive - good news for anyone who wants to avoid the daily commute to their corporate office job. Many professionals who move to Morris County also find jobs here, and are able to confine their relationship with New York and New Jersey to weekend visits.

Morris County's uncrowded layout is another reason for its popularity. The county has less than 500,000 residents spread across more than 1,247 km and dozens of communities, which compares nicely to the urban sprawl of millions per square mile just to the east. Morris County's low density has put it in high demand with wealthy buyers - it's the sixth wealthiest county in the Nation by median household income, and tenth by per capita income.

Affluence with a taste for old world charm is part of the reason many of Morris County's older homes here have been carefully preserved. A wide variety of old mansions have also been converted into museums, art studios, and schools. When visitors come to Morris County, they make a point of checking out heritage buildings like Acorn Hall in Morristown, which dates back to 1853.

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Learn more about marketing for homes in Summit, New Jersey at www.housebeautifulnj.com. The website has everything you need to start your Summit, New Jersey real estate search or sale, including area information, a comprehensive local home search, and details on realty services for buyers and sellers.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com

Mortgage your home restoration

Wed, 28 Nov 2007 00:00:00 -0600

Buying and restoring a historic home might be easier than you think. If you can qualify for a mortgage, you might be able to get financing for the restoration as well, under Section 203(k) of the National Housing Act (NHA). This legislation makes it easier for buyers to stay in the historic market of their choice, and find a home to suit their needs.

The 203 (k) program differs from other mortgages because it provides financing beyond the cost of the house or property. In most cases, upgrades to a property must be completed before the mortgage is made, in order to provide adequate loan security to the lender - this might require a buyer to find a high interest interim loan for their restoration after acquiring a property. With the 203 (k) program, a buyer can have just one mortgage at a long-term rate, covering both the purchase and rehabilitation of a property. These mortgages are based on the projected value of the property after the upgrades, taking into account the cost of the work.

Lenders can minimize their risk under the 203 (k) program by having their mortgage endorsed by the Department of Housing and Urban Development as soon as proceeds are disbursed and the mortgage escrow created.

A wide variety of property types are eli gable for 203 (k) financing, but some form of residential use on the property is required. Eligible properties must also be at least one year since completion, and all newly constructed units must attach to the existing building. For a mixed use property to qualify, only a certain percentage of it may be used commercially, and upgrade funds must only be used for the residential parts of the building, or areas used to access the residential sections. One story buildings eligible for 203 (k) financing are limited to 25 per cent commercial use, while two story buildings are limited to 49 per cent, and three story buildings are limited to 33 per cent. The purchase and upgrade of an owner occupied condominium unit can also be financed through a 203 (k) mortgage, as long as renovations are limited to the interior of the unit. Demolished or razed homes may even qualify, providing some of the existing foundation remains in place.

Finding a lender for a 203 (k) mortgage isn't difficult. The program is designed to minimizes risk to lenders, while providing ample opportunity for buyers to increase the value of their home and preserve historic areas. As a result, many 203 (k) borrowers are able to pay back their mortgages faster than traditional mortgage borrowers.

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Source: http://www.articletrader.com

The Next Step in Real Estate Web Marketing

Mon, 26 Nov 2007 00:00:00 -0600

Web savvy Realtors are paying less attention to the latest trends in online real estate, and more attention to tools and marketing methods that are already well-established. That's because developers and users are starting to agree that the most useful web 2.0 tools have already been developed - the challenge now is using tools to their fullest potential. Professionals with this approach have a better chance of increasing their web presence, and putting a solid strategy in place for the next true wave of Internet development.

The first step in this process is figuring out which of the new online real estate tools will prove the most useful over time. Many agents might choose to test all the products they know, but the most efficient method for this could also be to simply check what everybody else is using. The sheer volume of real estate sites out there, and the variety of different tools being used, makes it easy to surf and compare.

At this point, the best and most popular tools seem to be listings maps, blogs, search engine friendly design, and social networking sites. Many real estate marketing campaigns have these elements, but not many use them to their full potential. For example, it remains to be seen exactly how tools like blogs and listings will be combined, although the potential is definitely there. As real estate pros begin to identify and develop this list, they'll emerge with a set of reliable and dynamic web tools.

Real estate professionals developing their own websites also need to know which real estate media and national listings websites are going to stand the test of time. Cooperation with these websites will be important for agents looking to gain national exposure, but these agents must be selective to avoid having listings and networking profiles in too many places, before the top sites emerge.

Knowing the elements of an effective real estate marketing campaign is important, but learning how to use these tools will prove more useful for Realtors in search of a long-term solution.

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Source: http://www.articletrader.com

A New Approach to Suburban Home Marketing

Mon, 26 Nov 2007 00:00:00 -0600

The American dream is changing, and real estate professionals are doing their best to keep up in order to sell homes. Many buyers still want a big house in an uncrowded neighborhood, especially if they have a family, but there are conditions attached now. Long commutes into the city are more of a deal breaker now than ever before, and areas without a nearby business community, parks infrastructure, or future-proof layout are generating less interest. Realtors working in the suburbs must now learn to identify and market smart growth, and a well-rounded lifestyle, as well as the old ideals of comfort and privacy.

Soaring gas prices have made the suburban commute a tough sell, but rail lines are a cheap solution in many metro areas. Cities with long-established commuter rails have upgraded their routes to accommodate growth, while cities that expanded rapidly during the mid-20th century are building new commuter lines. One example of a large center with a newer commuter line is Vancouver, BC, Canada, where an extensive line called the West Coast Express opened in 1995. An area like suburban New Jersey offers well-established commuter railways, but here too the traditional routes are augmented by new routes, such as the Morristown Line which runs 40 miles between Hoboken and Hackettstown. Real estate agents who know the rail routes in their area, and stay on top of development plans, can help more buyers find a suburban home suited to their needs.

The high-tech bio-tech industries have brought another marketing angle to the suburban home market in recent years. Many companies in these rapidly expanding sectors operate at the outskirts of large metro areas, where they can develop large campuses and research facilities employing thousands. High-tech and bio-tech professionals can live in low-density neighborhoods, and avoid a lengthy commute altogether, if they find a home near their campus. Realtors sensitive to the high-tech market will find these home searches easy to accommodate.

Other new marketing angles for suburban real estate can include high quality school districts, parks systems, improved inter-municipal planning, outdoor shopping plazas, cheaper home prices, and a larger new home inventory. Knowing what makes these areas attractive to buyers will help real estate professionals close more deals, and promote smart growth where they live.

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Source: http://www.articletrader.com