Thursday, October 22, 2009

Middlesex County NJ Market Commentary - September 2009 Part 2

Middlesex County NJ Market Commentary - September 2009 Part 2
This Middlesex County NJ market commentary for the month of September is based on Middlesex County NJ real estate statistics.

Middlesex County NJ Market Commentary - September 2009 Part 1
Days of Inventory (DOI) has decreased over 3% versus August mostly due to the decrease in new homes listed. At 219 days, it means it would take about 7 months to sell all existing inventory at the same absorption rate. A market with over 6 months supply would usually qualify as a buyer's market. A market with less than 6 months of supply would usually qualify as a seller's market. This decrease is very important to note as DOI is an important variable in the monitoring of local real estate markets and our real estate barometer.

Both median and average sold prices have decreased versus last month and have decreased versus last year (-7.14% and -13.24% respectively) confirming the yearly downtrend.
SP/AP ratio is decreasing one point at 94%. In average, sellers are accepting offers at 94% of their last asking price. Please note that I mentioned "last asking price" and not "original asking price" which is very different. As a general rule, houses that sell are houses that are very close to their current market value as calculated through a Comparative Market Analysis.

Another real estate statistic is Days on Market or DOM which has increased almost 7% up to 78 days. Meaning that it takes less than 3 months in average to go under contract. A word of caution with this indicator as it is not a cumulative DOM. Meaning the clock re-starts with any new contract for the same home. This is a good example of the better value of looking at those statistics, which is more in the trend analysis than in a specific number at a specific given time

Catherine "Cathy" ChaudemancheKeller Williams Elite Realty / Middlesex County market center.

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Middlesex County NJ Market Commentary - September 2009 Part 1

Middlesex County NJ Market Commentary - September 2009 Part1
This Middlesex County NJ market commentary for the month of September is based on Middlesex County NJ real estate statistics.
For Middlesex County, the number of new homes listed in September has slightly decreased compare to new homes listed in August. At 653 homes, it is lower than the average year to date of 679 homes listed per month. This is very positive for Middlesex County real estate market in general as we need to reduce the inventory to move into a more balanced / neutral market.
The Active Inventory as we follow it (homes for sale not including "under attorney reviews") has slightly decreased to 2545 homes for sale in Middlesex County following a high in April with 2874 homes for sale. The AI has been consistently decreasing since April.
This month's absorption rate (350) or number of sold homes has decreased 4.9% versus last month. It is well over last year absorption rate (+12.54%) indicating that the tax credit incentive ending in November is working as expected. Buyers are definitely profiting from the grants, incentives available and the overall homes prices decrease.
I will post Middlesex County NJ market commentary Part 2 tomorrow...
Catherine "Cathy" ChaudemancheKeller Williams Elite Realty / Middlesex County market


Metuchen condos for salein Metuchen NJ. North Edison Real Estatein Edison, Middlesex County and Piscataway Condos for Sale. Local real estate websites for your local needs. Servicing first time home buyers, investors and sellers in Middlesex County, New Jersey.center.

Monday, October 19, 2009

Middlesex County NJ Real Estate Statistics for September 2009

Middlesex County NJ Real Estate Statistics / September 2009 (edit/delete)
Middlesex County NJ Real Estate Statistics
Those Middlesex County NJ real estate statistics include residential one family only. They do not include townhouses, condos, co-ops, multi-family, commercial properties, etc...Home statistics are calculated from the Middlesex County Multi Listing System (MLS)
Middlesex County NJ Real Estate Statistics
September 2009*
Previous Month**
September 2008
Active Inventory
2545
2675 (-4.86%)
3097 (-17.82%)
New Homes Listed
653
675 (-3.26%)
726 (-10.05%)
Sold Homes
350
368 (-4.90%)
311 (12.54%)
Median Sold Price (MSP)
$325,000
$330,000 (-1.51%)
$350,000 (-7.14%)
Average Sold Price (ASP)
$346,860
$356,631 (-2.74%)
$399,809 (-13.24%)
Sold Price/Asking Price (SP/AP)
94.00%
95% (-1.05%)
95% (-1.05%)
Days on Market (DOM)
78
73 (6.85%)
83 (-6.02%)
Days of Inventory (DOI)
219
226 (-3.10%)
299 (-26.76%)
*Middlesex County Real Estate Statistics Calculated on 10/11/2009 **Calculated on 09/12/2009
Click on the following link for more Middlesex County NJ Real Estate Statistics, including Sold Home Ratio, 100% Asking Price and more...
Catherine "Cathy" ChaudemancheKeller Williams Elite Realty / Middlesex County market center.

Metuchen condos for sale in Metuchen NJ. North Edison Real Estate in Edison, Middlesex County and Piscataway Condos for Sale. Local real estate websites for your local needs. Servicing first time home buyers, investors and sellers in Middlesex County, New Jersey.

Sunday, October 4, 2009

Your Metuchen Homes for Sale? There's Still Hope!

Your Metuchen Homes for Sale? There's Still Hope!

Some who have put their Metuchen homes for sale in the past year are still waiting to put that "Sold" sign in the yard. If this is you, don't panic! There's still hope for closing the sale this year.
According to the National Association of REALTORS®, home sales have risen five months in a row. Great news for everyone currently in the real estate market. Why are they rising? A few reasons:
Mortgage interest rates are at an all time low.
Home prices have dropped to become more affordable.
Buyers have a large selection to choose from, which encourages buyers that might otherwise have held out.
First time buyers are rushing to buy before the $8,000 tax credit ends, which means closing the deal before November of this year.
Here are a few tips to help you get your Metuchen home sold before the year is up:
Pricing - The key for most homebuyers is the price. In fact, lower priced homes are selling the fastest. Go over your pricing with your Metuchen real estate agent. Discuss whether you can afford to drop your home price, and if so, by how much.
Valuation - A major reason for some of the sales falling through is because appraisals were performed by home appraisers outside of the area. Unfortunately, many of them appraised homes lower than the price the buyers and sellers had negotiated. Because of this, Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae push for appraisals to be done by home appraisers in the local area and appraisers who are more experienced with the local area's housing trends and market. So, when it's time to have your house evaluated, choose someone in your area, and ask that the buyer does the same.
Competition - Because there is so much competition, it's always a good idea to take one last look at your Metuchen home. Take your real estate agent with you and go over the home with a fine-toothed comb. What can you do to up the value? What can you do to make it more appealing?
Lastly, don't give up hope! You have great Metuchen homes or Metuchen Condos to sell and buyers are looking. Do your best, listen to your agent and stay relaxed.Catherine ChaudemancheMetuchen Real Estate Agent/Metuchen Keller Williams Realty

Saturday, October 3, 2009

Don’t forget to inspect Edison NJ Homes for Sale!

Don’t forget to inspect Edison NJ Homes for Sale!
Just because you’ve found some interesting Edison nj homes for sale doesn’t mean your house hunt is over. There’s much more to do before signing those closing papers, and one of the biggest is having the Edison home inspected. In fact, getting a home inspection will probably be drilled into you by your Edison real estate agent. Yes, it’s that important.
What can you find out from your Edison nj home inspection report?
Some people may have a difficult time deciphering the reports to find out what’s serious and what isn’t. To make it worse, inspections vary from state to state. Fortunately, the National Association of Certified Home Inspectors, who has a list of inspectors all around the United States and Canada, has a specific set of guidelines.
General Inspection
A general inspection may covers such things as:
Structure - how well the walls, ceiling, foundation and more are put together
Exterior evaluation - landscaping, elevation, drainage, windows
Plumbing - Checks the condition of piping and identifies the materials used
Roof and attic - framing, flashing, gutters, ventilation
Systems - water heaters, duct work, air conditioning, chimney, furnaces, sprinklers
Garage - Slab, firewall, garage door
Appliances - including smoke detectors
Electrical - main panel, types of wiring, grounding, circuit breakers, light fixtures and more
The inspection reports will state whether the Edison nj home for sale has serious health and safety issues, bad or old roofs, systems malfunctions, foundation problems, and moisture and drainage problems.
Special Inspection
Although you may not want to spend the extra money, these things can cause the “sick house syndrome” (people getting sick a lot for no recognizable reason). These problems should not be ignored:
Asbestos
Radon
Formaldehyde
Mold, mildew and fungi
Rodents
Lead
Methane
Radiation
Some issues aren’t big and can be dealt with fairly easily. Other things, however, are expensive fixes and could be deal breakers. Before you sign closing papers on one of the Edison nj homes for sale, get that inspection done to find out what you’re really getting.
If you’re looking for a healthy home in good condition in Edison nj or in Middlesex County New Jersey, I can help. Contact me now
Catherine “Cathy” Chaudemanche

Saturday, September 26, 2009

Your Piscataway Condo and Townhouse for Sale in New Jersey; more than just another unit?

Piscataway Condos for Sale and Piscataway Townhouse for Sale in New Jersey; more than just another unit?

When buyers are looking at Piscataway Townhouses or Piscataway Condos for sale, they aren't just looking at the place itself. Although how a condo or townhouse looks on the inside is important, many are also looking at the surroundings. When you get ready to sell your home, start thinking about what other things you can sell. Here's a short list of other benefits you may be able to promote:

Condo Association - Piscataway condos have some sort of governing body like the Home Owner's Association or Community Association. How good is yours? Does your condo association listen to the needs of the home owners? Do they keep the building in good repair? If your association is one of the best, brag about it!

How much are the maintenance fees? Piscataway has many condos developments (Birch Glen Piscataway, Canterbury at Piscataway, Society Hill, Starpoint, Maple Grove, Castle point, The Commons...). They have different fees and those fees cover different things.

Cost of utilities - How much do your utilities cost? This could be a strong selling point in your favor. If the overall cost of your utilities is low, make sure you tell your Piscataway real estate agent. They'll know the best time to mention this information.

Surrounding neighborhood - What can you say about yours that is positive? Are there nearby parks? Playground, tennis courts, outdoor swimming pool? These are all good selling points, and should not be left out!
Selling a Piscataway condo isn't necessarily as hard as it may sound, even with the current real estate market. However, with the amount of competition out there, every little bit helps. Pay attention to all the good things you enjoy about your condo or townhouse and make sure potential buyers know about them!

Friday, September 18, 2009

Middlesex County NJ Market Commentary for August 2009, New Jersey -Part II (final part)

Middlesex County NJ Market Commentary for August 2009, New Jersey -Part II (final part)

...Days of Inventory (DOI) has increased over 11% versus July mostly due to the decrease in sold homes. At 226 days, it means it would take about 7 months to sell all existing inventory at the same absorption rate. A market with over 6 months supply would usually qualify as a buyer's market. A market with less than 6 months of supply would usually qualify as a seller's market. This decrease is very important to note as DOI is an important variable in the monitoring of local real estate markets and our real estate barometer.

Both median and average sold prices have increased versus last month but have decreased versus last year (-10.81% and -12.81% respectively).

SP/AP ratio is staying at 95%. In average, sellers are accepting offers at 95% of their last asking price. Please note that I mentioned "last asking price" and not "original asking price".
Another real estate statistic is Days on Market or DOM which has decreased down to 73 days. Meaning that it takes less than 3 months in average to go under contract. A word of caution with this indicator as it is not a cumulative DOM. Meaning the clock re-starts with any new contract for the same home. This is a good example of the better value of looking at those statistics, which is more in the trend analysis than in a specific number at a specific given time.

That's the end of our local Middlesex County NJ Market Commentary based on Middlesex County real estate statistics. As always, contact me if any questions.

Catherine Chaudemanche, Middlesex County NJ Market Commentary.Realtor AssociateMetuchen Keller Williams Elite Realty / Middlesex County NJ

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Middlesex County NJ Real Estate Market Commentary for August 2009, New Jersey -Part I

Middlesex County NJ Real Estate Market Commentary - Part1

For Middlesex County, the number of new homes listed in August has slightly decreased compare to new homes listed in July. At 675 homes, it is lower than the average year to date of 705 homes listed per month. This is very positive for Middlesex County real estate market in general as we need to reduce the inventory to move into a more balanced / neutral market.
The Active Inventory as we follow it (homes for sale not including "under attorney reviews") has slightly decreased to 2675 homes for sale in Middlesex County following a high in April with 2874 homes for sale.

This month's absorption rate (368) or number of sold homes has decreased 11.54% versus last month. August absorption rate is almost identical with June (364). To put this number in perspective, January and February absorption rates averaged 165 homes sold. Buyers are definitely profiting from the grants, incentives available and the overall homes prices decrease. We should keep on seeing good numbers in September, October and November as the $8,000 tax credit end at the end of November.

Middlesex County NJ Real Estate Market Commentary - Part2 : Friday 09/18/2009
Cathy ChaudemancheMidldesex County NJ Real Estate Realtor

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

August Middlesex County New Jersey NJ Real Estate Statistics

August Middlesex County New Jersey NJ Real Estate Statistics
Please find below Real estate statistics for Middlesex County NJ for the month of August. Those Middlesex County Real Estate statistics have been calculated with raw data from the Middlesex County Multiple Listings System. Please see our disclaimer.
Middlesex County NJ Real Estate Statistics
August 2009
Previous Month
August 2008
Active Inventory
2675
2727(-1.90%)
N/A
New Homes Listed
675
678 (-0.44%)
676 (-0.14%)
Sold Homes
368
416(-11.54%)
412 (-10.67%)
Median Sold Price (MSP)
$330,000
$327,250 (+0.84%)
$370,000 (10.81%)
Average Sold Price (ASP)
$356,631
$353,886 (+0.77%)
$409,046 (-12.81%)
Sold Price/Asking Price (SP/AP)
95.00%
95.00%
95.00%
Days on Market (DOM)
73
76(-3.94%)
78 (-6.41%)
Days of Inventory (DOI)
226
203 (+11.33%)
N/A
Catherine "Cathy" ChaudemancheAssociate Realtor, Keller Williams RealtyMiddlesex County Market Center
Disclaimer: information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Middlesex County MLS does not guarantee nor is in any way responsible for its accuracy. Data maintained by Middlesex MLS may not reflect all real estate activity in the market.

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

You Internet Presence Model / Top Misconceptions - Class#1: "Plan your Internet Presence for real estate agents" Slide#6

You Internet Presence Model / Top Misconceptions - Class#1: "Plan your Internet Presence for real estate agents" Slide#6
Hello Rain Makers,
I was wondering if I could get your insight on this matter...I am preparing a few classes to help real estate agents in the office to plan and start their own internet presence. Nothing too technical, mostly going around basic principles, ideas and strategies.
This specific slide is about trying to clear up the misconcpetions about developing an internet presence for agents.
I think a lot of those misconceptions are coming from very misleading vendors outthere trying to sell whathever they have to sell (i.e. we will send you 10,000 visitors for $24.85...this is the type of traffic you should expect,, that easy, blahblahblah... )
Ok, I am going first, I think one of the biggest misconceptions outhere is thinking that an agent could develop his/her entire internet presence all for free...
What about you? what do you think are the biggest misconceptions in the internet area for real estate agents?
Rom Chaudemanche Plan your Internet Presence for real estate agents / Top Misconceptions

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

North Edison Real Estate and Homes for Sale in Edison New Jersey

North Edison real estate is located within the northern part of the city of Edison and the Edison Township. It is bordered on the south by Metuchen, on the north by Scotch Plain, on the west by South Plainfield and on the east by Woodbridge. North Edison NJ zip code is 08820. Other zip codes for Edison are 08837 and 08817. 08820 real estate includes North Edison homes for sale but also North Edison townhouses for sale and North Edison condos for sale.The following statistics are for North Edison Real Estate only, for Edison homes sold; Edison condos and townhouses sold combined for 2008. Data is from the Middlesex County Multiple Listing System.
North Edison Properties
Properties median price
Properties sold
Minimum property price
Maximum property price
Days on market
Sold price / List price
North Edison Homes
$512,000
187
$240,900
$1,235,000
75
94%
North Edison Townhouses & North Edison Condos
$340,000
129
$227,000
$515,000
55
96%
Catherine "Cathy" ChaudemancheRealtor Associate / Keller Williams RealtyEdison Real Estate

Benefits of a successful internet presence for real estate agent. Class#1: "Plan your Internet Presence" Slide#2

Benefits of a successful internet presence for real estate agent. Class#1: "Plan your Internet Presence" Slide#2

I was wondering if I could get your insight on this matter...I am preparing a few classes to help real estate agents in the office to plan and start their own internet presence. Nothing too technical, mostly going around basic principles, ideas and strategies.
This specific slide is about the benefits of a successful internet presence for real estate agents. I am going to start with from my experience what I consider to be one of the smallest benefits but still a subsequent benefit from a well planned internet presence:- Adding value to our existing sphere (by providing various canned reports such as school reports, city or community reports, direct access to local MLS...).

So, what about you, what do you consider to be the main benefits from your internet presence?

Rom Chaudemanche Plan your Internet Presence

Monday, August 31, 2009

condos for sale in Piscataway NJ

Condos for sale in Piscataway NJ

Most communities in Piscataway such as Canterbury, Society Hill, Birch Glen, Maple Grove, Starpoint, etc...are condo or condominium communities. Condos for sale in Piscataway can be of one level, with or without basement; 2 levels or 3 levels (usually described as townhouses) and with or without attached garage, deck, patio, etc...

There are few very well located condos and townhouses communities in Piscataway, New Jersey. In addition of being conveniently located, Piscataway condos for sale may offer some of the following amenities: outdoor swimming pool, clubhouse, playground, tennis courts, walking and jogging paths, etc...in a professionally landscaped, park-like setting environment.

If you are looking to buy your very own condo for sale in Piscataway New Jersey, contact me now

Piscataway Homes for Sale

Catherine "Cathy" Chaudemanche Keller Williams Elite Realty 732-616-6700
311 Roosevelt Avenue, Piscataway, NJ
Spacious Colonial Piscataway Home on Large Corner Lot - Welcome Home !!
4BR/1.5BA Single Family House
offered at $395,000
Year Built
1964
Sq Footage
1,904
Bedrooms
4
Bathrooms
1 full, 1 partial
Floors
2
Parking
Unspecified
Lot Size
17,998 sqft
HOA/Maint
Piscataway Condos for Sale
DESCRIPTION
Well maintained large colonial Piscataway home on oversized corner lot. New carpeting throughout the second floor and freshly paint, updated baths. Roof, CAC, windows & siding within 5yrs.Formal dining room, large living room. Eat-in kitchen with brand new built-in microwave, flooring and countertop. Large family room with fireplace, high vaulted ceiling and skylight window.Large master bedroom on the second floor with 3 other bedrooms. All bedrooms have large closets. Plenty of storage and closets. Unfinished basement, large 2 cars garage. Large patio in the back to enjoy the summer. Mature trees, many flowers, green, green, green, new sidewalk…1 year HMS home warranty for your piece of mind (HMS home warranty paid by seller at closing)!! Conveniently located, this Piscataway home is close to Park, schools and major highways…The best of both worlds!!Piscataway in Middlesex County, New Jersey was voted 23rd out of the top 100 best places to live in the US by Money magazine in 2008. Looking to buy Piscataway real estate in New Jersey? Let me help you, I specialize in Piscataway real estate.
see additional photos below
PROPERTY FEATURES
- Central A/C
- Central heat
- Fireplace
- High/Vaulted ceiling
- Tile floor
- Family room
- Living room
- Office/Den
- Dining room
- Dishwasher
- Refrigerator
- Stove/Oven
- Microwave
- Basement
- Washer
- Dryer
- Balcony, Deck, or Patio
- Yard
ADDITIONAL PHOTOS
Photo 1
Photo 2
Photo 3
Photo 1
Photo 2
Photo 3
Contact info:
Catherine "Cathy" Chaudemanche
Keller Williams Elite Realty
732-616-6700
For sale by agent/broker
Equal Opportunity Housing
Posted: Aug 31, 2009, 1:34pm PDT

Friday, August 21, 2009

Fords NJ Homes for Sale - 3 Cheap, Easy Ways to Make Your Homes For Sale in Fords New Jersey More Inviting.

Fords NJ Homes for Sale - 3 Cheap, Easy Ways to Make Your Homes For Sale in Fords New Jersey More Inviting.
Sellers putting up their homes for sale in Fords NJ may not have much available cash to spruce it up. While staging houses is a definite plus, it costs, as does many of the other suggested "to-dos." Here are a few cheap, easy ways to make your Fords home for sale look more inviting to buyers:
1. Put away your personal stuff
Not every buyer looking at a home for sale in Fords appreciates the fact that someone still lives there. Putting away the following things can help the buyers' see themselves in the home:

your pet's things (toys, litter box, bowls)
your medications, toothbrushes and toilet accessories
any toys
knick-knacks and personal pictures

2. Create more space in your Fords home
Small, closed in spaces are major turnoffs for buyers. Create the illusion of more space by:
putting up out-of-season clothes or clothes you don't wear very often to make your closets look bigger
taking one piece of furniture out of your bedroom
packing up the small appliances in your kitchen
taking out all but four chairs in your dining room, as well as extra table leaves

3. Touch on the trends
Chances are that some of the Fords home buyers are paying attention to celebrity trends. Feng shui is a big one, and you can do your part with just a few touches:

add a fresh bowl of fruit to the kitchen
put a comfortable couch or chair on the east side of your living room or den
put a green welcome mat on your porch to symbolize opportunity
get rid of reds
Whether you see or feel a difference doesn't matter. Keep in mind that you're trying to appeal to potential buyers of your home for sale in Fords, not make the home more livable for you. If it helps, pretend that you're the buyer, seeing the house for the first time.
Cathy Chaudemanche,Keller Williams Realty. Fords Homes for Sale and Fords Real Estate in Middlesex County, New Jersey NJ from your Fords real estate agent.

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Middlesex County Real Estate Market Commentary for JULY 2009 New Jersey -Part II and Final

Middlesex County Real Estate Market Commentary for JULY 2009 New Jersey - Part II and Final
Both median and average sold prices are staying at the same levels versus last month with 12%-14% decrease from last year prices.
SP/AP ratio is staying at 95%. In average, sellers are accepting offers at 95% of their last asking price. Please note that I mentioned "last asking price" and not "original asking price".
Another important real estate statistic is Days on Market or DOM which has decreased down to 76 days. Meaning that it takes less than 3 months in average to go under contract. A word of caution with this indicator as it is not a cumulative DOM. This is a good example of the better value of looking at those statistics, which is more in the trend analysis than in a specific number at a specific given time.
That's the end of our local market commentary based on Middlesex County real estate statistics.
Cathy Chaudemanche,Keller Williams RealtyEdison Real Estate and Homes for Sale in Edison, New Jersey

Monday, August 17, 2009

Middlesex County Real Estate Market Commentary for JULY 2009 New Jersey -Part I

Middlesex County Real Estate Market Commentary Part I

For Middlesex County, the number of new homes listed in July has decreased over 9% compare to new homes listed in June. It is well under last year's number as well (-13.52%). This is very positive for Middlesex County real estate market in general as we need to reduce the inventory to move into a more balanced market.

The Active Inventory as we follow it (homes for sale not including "under attorney reviews") has slightly decreased to 2727 homes currently for sale in Middlesex County following a high in April with 2874 homes for sale.

This month's absorption rate (416 per month) or number of sold homes has increased 9.24% versus last month after a 41% increase from May. January and February absorption rates averaged 165 homes sold. This month's absorption rate is also 16% higher than last year. Buyers are definitely profiting from the grants, incentives available and the overall homes prices decrease.

Days of Inventory (DOI) is another big winner with a 13 % decrease versus June, following a 32% decrease versus May. At 203 days, it means it would take over 6 months to sell all existing inventory at the same rate. DOI has been consistently decreasing since January. A market with over 6 months supply would usually qualify as a buyer's market. A market with less than 6 months of supply would usually qualify as a seller's market. This decrease is very important to note as DOI is an important variable in the monitoring of local real estate markets and our real estate barometer.

Metuchen homes for sale and Metuchen Real Estate in Middlesex County, NJ is just one click away. From your local Metuchen real estate agent...

Cathy Chaudemanche
Metuchen Keller Williams Realty

Sunday, August 16, 2009

Middlesex County Real Estate and homes for sale

Middlesex County Real Estate and homes for sale.
Find out home prices by city or home prices by zip code within Middlesex County. Also condo prices by city or condo prices by zip codes . Middlesex County Real estate statistics are calculated monthly to provide you with insightful and timely information such as DOM, sp/ap, max. price, min. price, average price...
Find out the number of Homes that are selling in Middlesex County, New Jersey with the Sold Homes Ratio. 100% Asking Price will provide you with the number of Houses that sold at Asking price or Above for zip codes in Middlesex County, New Jersey

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Spacious Colonial Piscataway Home on Large Corner Lot - Welcome Home !!



















Spacious Colonial Piscataway Home on Large Corner Lot - Welcome Home !!























$395,000
311 Roosevelt Avenue, Piscataway NJ

Features:

  • 4 bedrooms, 1.5 baths
  • New kitchen countertops, flooring and built-in microwave. New carpet throughout the second floor
  • Freshly painted. Full basement, oversized 2 cars garage, plenty of storage
  • Large Family room with vaulted ceiling and beautiful fireplace
  • Spacious and open floating first floor architecture
  • Oversized Patio, mature trees, generous landscape on huge corner lot
  • www.311Roosevelt.com


Remarks:

Piscataway Real Estate & Piscataway Home for Sale


Well maintained large colonial Piscataway home on oversized corner lot. New carpeting throughout the second floor and freshly paint, updated baths. Roof, CAC, windows & siding within 5yrs.



Formal dining room, large living room. Eat-in kitchen with brand new built-in microwave, flooring and countertop. Large family room with fireplace, high vaulted ceiling and skylight window.



Large master bedroom on the second floor with 3 other bedrooms. All bedrooms have large closets. Plenty of storage and closets. Unfinished basement, large 2 cars garage. Large patio in the back to enjoy the summer. Mature trees, many flowers, green, green, green, new sidewalk…



1 year HMS home warranty for your piece of mind (HMS home warranty paid by seller at closing)!! Conveniently located, this Piscataway home is close to Park, schools and major highways…The best of both worlds!!



Piscataway in Middlesex County, New Jersey was voted 23rd out of the top 100 best places to live in the US by Money magazine in 2008.


Looking to buy Piscataway real estate in New Jersey? Let me help you, I specialize in Piscataway real estate.



Piscataway Real Estate in Middlesex County, New Jersey. North Edison homes for sale and North Edison Real Estate in New Jersey. Metuchen homes for sale and Metuchen Real Estate in Middlesex County, New Jersey. Iselin Real estate and homes for sale.



















































Catherine "Cathy" Chaudemanche
Realtor Associate
732.616.6700 Cell-preferred
732.549.1998 Office-Ext: 142
View My Website
View My Other Listings




Elite,Realtors
481 Memorial Parkway
Metuchen, NJ 08840
















Each office is independently owned and operated



©2007Properties Online, LLC, Patent No. US 6,760,707. The above information including square footage is based on data received from the seller and/or from public sources. This information is deemed reliable but has not been independently verified and cannot be guaranteed. Prospective buyers are advised to verify information to their own satisfaction prior to purchase.

Equal Housing Opportunity






Thursday, July 23, 2009

Iselin Real Estate for Sale, 6 Ways to Tell if You Need to Paint Before Listing your Home

Iselin Real Estate in New Jersey-
If you're putting up your Iselin real estate for sale, it may be time to bring out the brush and spackle. This doesn't just mean on the outside, but everywhere. If you're not sure whether you need to do it, here are a few ways to tell:
1. Peeling exterior - You may be used to your Iselin home and not see the peeling paint, but, as any good Iselin real estate agent will tell you, curb appeal is very important (home selling steps). If buyers don't like the way your home looks on the outside, they very seldom go inside. If the paint is peeling, it's time to redo it.
2. Eye-catching colors - While you may enjoy your robin's egg blue house with canary yellow shutters, buyers may not. An Iselin home for sale needs to be painted in a way that the buyers can see themselves living in it. If your house is painted in unusually eye-catching colors, you need to repaint in neutral tones. Stick with neutral colors for interior painting also.
3. Peeling/stained shed - If you have a wooden shed on your property, you might need to repaint it or even replace it. Exposed wood under the paint is a major detractor and an eyesore. It may not matter to you, but it will matter to the buyer.
4. Cracks in the walls - If the interior of your Iselin home has little cracks, seal the drywall with spackling and repaint. Though small, the cracks will be seen as a negative, even if the rest of the house is well cared for.
5. Cracked tiles or water spots on the ceiling - Who looks up at the ceiling anymore? The buyer will and will see that unsightly stain in the corner that you haven't noticed for years.
6. Artistic inspiration - If you're an artist and you found the need to express yourself on the walls, you might consider repainting. Ask your Iselin real estate agent before hand; some forms of expression may sell better than others.
When you have an Iselin home for sale you have to be honest with yourself. Look at the house with fresh eyes and in a buyer's point of view. If something stands out, it probably needs to be fixed.
If you're thinking of selling your Iselin home in New Jersey, I'd be happy to give you suggestions on how to make it sparkle so it will sell faster and for more money. Contact me today.
Cathy Chaudemanche, Keller Williams Elite Realty
Piscataway Real Estate in Middlesex County, New Jersey. North Edison homes for sale and North Edison Real Estate in New Jersey. Metuchen homes for sale and Metuchen Real Estate in Middlesex County, New Jersey. Iselin Real estate and homes for sale.

Friday, July 17, 2009

Metuchen Real Estate in New Jersey, why is now a good time to buy?

Metuchen Real Estate, NJ

In spite of problems in the housing market, experts agree this is a good time to buy Metuchen real estate in New Jersey. First-time home buyers can take advantage of the many tax breaks allowed by the stimulus plan, and everyone can benefit from the fact that the stimulus package includes help for banks so that they can provide mortgages. There are other reasons the current New Jersey market is good for new home buyers, too.

Local Downpayment Programs and GrantsThe American Dream Downpayment and the Smart Start are just two of the few programs available to local buyers including Metuchen home buyers.

Mortgage Rates
Interest rates are still historically very low. This gives Metuchen real estate buyers, especially those with good credit, a big advantage. Just one or two point difference in mortgage rates can mean saving several hundred dollars a month on payments.

Low Prices
If you're considering buying Metuchen real estate, act now so you can take advantage of the lower home prices. When you buy a home at today's lower prices, you're very likely to quickly add equity to your home when prices bounce back.

Less Construction
Having less construction happening may not seem like a great thing, and for many areas of the economy it is not, but a lack of new construction is a real plus for new home owners. The fact that there are fewer new homes on the market will help real estate prices bounce back over the next few years by creating more of a supply and demand situation for existing homes. Rising Metuchen home values will provide that equity bump back to more modern levels.

Did I forget to mention the $8,000 tax credit?

Cathy ChaudemancheMetuchen Keller Williams Elite RealtyYourHouseFast.com

Piscataway Real Estate in Middlesex County, New Jersey. North Edison homes for sale and North Edison Real Estate. Metuchen homes for sale and Metuchen Real Estate in Middlesex County, New Jersey.

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

THURSDAY 07/19 - First Time Home Buyer Workshop with Middlesex County Department of Housing

Many potential buyers have felt priced out of the market or that banks are no longer giving mortgage unless they have a 20% down payment.
This is just not true.
Over the past months there have been many changes in the real estate market, nationally and in our local market. Some information has been supplied by the media but the vast majority of home buyers still have questions regarding different local down payment programs, mortgage products, tax credit, current government incentives and best home buying practices...
This home buying workshop features 7 professionals who will provide you with the information you need and answer any questions you may have. We hope that you will walk away armed with the necessary information and confidence to begin the search for your new dream home
When:
Thursday July 16th 2009. Doors open at 5:30 pm
REGISTER Now, Seating Is Limited
Where:
Old Franklin School House - 491 Middlesex Ave (Route 27) Metuchen, NJ 08840 (directly across the Metuchen Library)
MapQuest & Directions
Who Should Attend:
Home buyers who intend to purchase real estate in Central Jersey preferably before 11/30/09


Home Buying Workshop - Agenda
5:30-6:00
Doors Open

6:15-6:20
Home Buying Workshop - Introduction and Announcements
Judy Crawford
6:20-6:45
American Dream Program and others Grant Options
Melissa Bellamy
6:45-7:00
From Contract to Closing
David Sachs
7:00-7:15
Protect Yourself - Home Inspection Process Overview
Harish Chauhan
7:15-7:30
Mortgage Approval Made Easy
Alex Rivera
7:30-8:00
Q&A


Home Buying Workshop - Featured Professionals
Melissa Bellamy
Division Head, Middlesex County Dept. of Housing
732-745-2922
David Sachs
Real Estate Attorney
732-548-8900
Alex Rivera
Vice-President, Jersey Mortgage Corp.
973-219-5863
Harish Chauhan
Senior Inspector/Manager, 1st Inspection Services
732-384-2068
Judy Crawford
Team Leader, Keller Williams Elite Realty

Barbara Ascolese &
Cathy Chaudemanche
Realtors Associate, First Time Home Buyers Specialists
732-710-2302 or 732-616-6700

Piscataway Real Estate in Middlesex County, New Jersey. North Edison homes for sale and North Edison Real Estate. Metuchen homes for sale and Metuchen Real Estate in Middlesex County, New Jersey.
Cathy ChaudemancheKeller Williams Elite RealtyYourHouseFast.com

Sunday, May 31, 2009

Buying Bank Owned Iselin Real Estate—REOs in Middlesex County, New Jersey

Buying REOs is a very popular method of buying Iselin real estate in New Jersey for investment. If you're just getting started accumulating investment property, this is one way you can get very good deals and amass a great deal of property quickly. REO stands for Real Estate Owned and is the acronym banks place on properties they have taken back from mortgage defaults. REOs are considered non-performing assets meaning they have value but are not bringing in any money-bad for the bank, good for you.


Buy REOs at Foreclosure Auctions


Iselin Real EstateForeclosure auctions are a great way to get fantastic deals that you might not be able to convince a bank to go with prior to the event. Some savvy investors try to catch properties while they are in pre-foreclosure which avoids a property being bid up in an auction atmosphere. To do that, you often have to convince the holding bank to "short sale" a property and sell it for less than the note they were holding on it. At a foreclosure auction, the bank is usually desperate to unload the Iselin real estate and often settles for far less than the actual value without all of the short sale paperwork.


Do Your Homework


If you choose to buy properties at auction do your homework. Use foreclosure worksheets to determine the true value of a property and what your maximum bid should be in order to realize a profit from its eventual sale or use as a rental. Doing this prevents you from getting caught up in the moment and over-bidding on a piece of Iselin real estate that has a lot of competitors bidding on it.


Cathy Chaudemanche

Thursday, May 28, 2009

What to Look for in an Eco-friendly Piscataway Home in Middlesex County, New Jersey

If you're like many people today, you not only want to live comfortably you want to live responsibly. That means having a Piscataway home in Middlesex County that is as eco-friendly as possible.


Piscataway Home in Middlesex County, New Jersey



If you don't buy a home that's already eco-friendly, you'll have to do your own improvements. Why not look for Piscataway homes that had eco-friendly features originally built in or recently installed. Here are a few things you can look for to see if your prospective new home is "green" no matter what color it's painted.



  • Double-paned windows are one very important eco-friendly feature. They keep the cold out in the winter and hold heat in, and vice versa in the summer months.

  • Eco-friendly appliances already in the kitchen and utility rooms mean you won't have to go running out to buy brand new ones. Look for Energy Star symbols and ratings on all major appliances such as stoves, refrigerators, washer/dryers, heating and cooling systems.

  • Low water flow fixtures keep your costs down while saving the planet's water supply.

  • Even something as simple as awnings over the windows adds a great energy saving resource to a Piscataway home. Retractable awnings are even better because they will keep the heat out in the summer, and in the winter, you can put them up to let the sunlight help heat your home.

  • Color counts: The color of your home's exterior should be light to reflect heat, rather than a dark color that will attract and hold heat.

  • An on-demand hot water system saves energy because it only heats water when it's needed.


Looking for an eco-friendly Piscataway home in Middlesex County? I can help. Contact me today.


Cathy Chaudemanche

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

How The Stimulus Plan Helps You Buy an Edison Home in Middlesex County, New Jersey

The new stimulus plan has given many people new hope for their housing futures. At first, many worried that the stimulus package would merely help the banks and other financial institutions and not the actual homeowner looking to buy an Edison home. But, it has become clear that the people who really win with the new plan are those who count-prospective home buyers.


Stimulus for Banks and Buyers


The stimulus package provides huge tax rebates in 2009, and while that is a limited provision, the savings are enormous for those who get out there and buy an Edison home in Middlesex County, New Jersey. The fact that the stimulus plan includes relief for the struggling financial industry also helps buyers by making it more likely they will be able to obtain loans.


Stimulus for Higher Priced Properties


The stimulus package gives the two major government mortgage companies Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac more power and allows for larger loans for higher priced properties. That is a big incentive if you're looking to buy in a major metropolitan area because you will now be able to get a loan secured by Fannie or Freddie.


The economic boost from the stimulus package will require a little time to really become apparent, but it is working, even now. Slowly the market is rebounding and new home buyers are able to take advantage of loans and tax incentives while getting houses at prices that are extraordinarily low.


If you would like more information on how the stimulus package can help you buy a new Edison home, contact me today.


Cathy Chaudemanche

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Information to Have On Hand When Selling Your Edison Real Estate in New Jersey

Selling your property, whether it is a primary home or income property in Edison or Middlesex County, is easier if you have the information your buyers are likely to want to know on hand. Type up an info sheet answering the most commonly asked questions buyers have when looking at real estate for sale such as:




• How old is the roof?

• What comes with the property? Window treatments? Do all of the appliances come with the property?

• How old are the appliances?

• Does the basement leak?

• Where are the hot water heater, the electrical service panel, and other important maintenance items located? Are they easy to access?

• Are you open to owner financing?

• What is the age and condition of the plumbing and wiring?

• Are there schools nearby?

• What is the average utility cost per month/year?

• Have you had any major problems in the past? Your normal seller's disclosure does not require you to list problems you had and have fixed. Some sellers would like to know what those problems were. It can give them an idea if they are likely to be a recurring problem (like flood damage) or if the fact that you already had the issue and fixed it they will not likely have to deal with that particular problem in the future.

Of course, you should always have the general information about your Edison real estate available such as square footage of the building, property size, zoning and any restrictions or easements.

Having all of the information on hand will prove to potential buyers that you're serious, that you're prepared to be upfront with them about any issues y


our home may have, and that you've taken excellent care of your home.

Thinking of selling your home? I specialize in selling homes in Edison and Middlesex County quickly and at the highest price. Find out more by calling me today.


Cathy Chaudemanche


Monday, May 18, 2009

April - Middlesex County Real Estate Statistics and Market Commentary. Part #2

-Middlesex County Statistics and Commentary (Residential one family only; does not include Townhouses/Condos/Multi-family)*-


























































Middlesex County TrendsApril 2009*Previous Month**April 2008
Active Inventory28742747 (+4.62%)N/A
New Homes Listed785765 (+2.61%)913 (-14.01%)
Sold Homes213200 (+6.5%)308 (-30.84%)
Median Sold Price$310,000$299,950 (+3.35%)$372,500 (-16.78%)
Average Sold Price$321,665$316,381 (+1.67%)$412,765 (-22.07%)
Sold Price/Asking Price Ratio94.00%94.00%95% (-1.05%)
Days on Market8997 (-8.24%)77 (+15.58%)
Days of Inventory405426 (-4.92%)N/A

*Calculated on 05/07/09 **Calculated on 04/07/09


PART #2:


Both median and average sold prices are higher than the previous month (+3.35% @ $310,000 and +1.67% @ $321,665 respectively).

Median home price is back over last December lows’ and setting the stage for the seasonal price increase.


Sold price versus asking price ratio stay the same at 94%. In average, sellers are accepting offers at 94% of their asking price.



Days on market or DOM decreased 8.24% to 89 days. It takes less than 3 months in average to go under contract. A word of caution with this indicator as it is not a cumulative DOM. This is a good example of the better value of looking at those statistics, which is more in the trend analysis than in a specific number at a specific given time.

We have switched our Middlesex County Real Estate barometer from "Buyer's Market" to "Strong Buyer's Market" last November 2008. Variables for that decision were the decrease to historical lows of the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage and the November sold price correction.


We are keeping our barometer the same as we believe that we are in one of the strongest buying stage opportunity.

Cathy Chaudemanche

Realtor Associate/Keller Williams RealtyMetuchen, NJ

Servicing Home Buyers and Sellers in Middlesex County, NJ

http://www.YourHouseFast.com

*This representation is based in part or in whole on data supplied by the Middlesex County Multiple Listing System and the Garden State Multiple Listing System. Middlesex County MLS and Garden State MLS do not guarantee nor are in any way responsible for its accuracy. Data maintained by Middlesex MLS and Garden State MLS may not reflect all real estate activity in the market. Calculations deemed reliable but not guaranteed.

Sunday, May 17, 2009

April - Middlesex County Real Estate Statistics and Market Commentary. Part #1

-Middlesex County Statistics and Commentary (Residential one family only; does not include Townhouses/Condos/Multi-family)*-


























































Middlesex County TrendsApril 2009*Previous Month**April 2008
Active Inventory28742747 (+4.62%)N/A
New Homes Listed785765 (+2.61%)913 (-14.01%)
Sold Homes213200 (+6.5%)308 (-30.84%)
Median Sold Price$310,000$299,950 (+3.35%)$372,500 (-16.78%)
Average Sold Price$321,665$316,381 (+1.67%)$412,765 (-22.07%)
Sold Price/Asking Price Ratio94.00%94.00%95% (-1.05%)
Days on Market8997 (-8.24%)77 (+15.58%)
Days of Inventory405426 (-4.92%)N/A

*Calculated on 05/07/09 **Calculated on 04/07/09



The number of new homes listed in April has slightly increased 2.61% versus March and is following a 16% increase from February. 785 homes listed is the highest number since June 2008.


The Active Inventory (AI) as we follow it (homes for sales not including "under attorney reviews") has increased +4.62% as well compare to March. It has slowly increased since last December but is still much lower than last year high.


This month’s absorption rate (213 homes/month) or number of sold homes has increased 6.5% versus last month, following over 26% increase from February. Good numbers and we expect the trend to keep up as we are engaging the busiest season (spring and summer).


This is beneficially affecting the Days of Inventory (DOI) which has decreased almost 5% versus last month, following a 11% decrease versus February. At 405 days, it means it will take over 1 year to sell all existing inventory.


Part #2 will be posted tomorrow.


Cathy Chaudemanche


*This representation is based in part or in whole on data supplied by the Middlesex County Multiple Listing System and the Garden State Multiple Listing System. Middlesex County MLS and Garden State MLS do not guarantee nor are in any way responsible for its accuracy. Data maintained by Middlesex MLS and Garden State MLS may not reflect all real estate activity in the market. Calculations deemed reliable but not guaranteed.

Saturday, May 16, 2009

5 Tips When Looking for Middlesex County Homes for Sale in New Jersey

There are a lot of Middlesex County homes for sale in New Jersey now which makes it a great time to buy (over 7400 current listings on the Middlesex county Multi Listing System). Not only can you find a wide variety of beautiful homes at lower than before prices but thanks to the new American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, if you're a first-time home buyer, you can get a generous bonus at tax time.

Here are some tips for taking full advantage of the stimulus and to make shopping for a new home more pleasurable.


1. Don't Settle for the First Place You See


It isn't a race and you don't get extra points for being fast. Take your time to find just the right one for you.


2. Weigh the Pros and Con


Just about any home will need a few improvements. Even newly constructed homes usually need improvements like landscaping. Home sellers are savvier now about how to make enhancements to catch a buyer's eye, but look carefully. There will still be things you want to change. Weigh the difference between the cost of those repairs and the sale price. If you really want a home even though it's going to take a lot of work, place your bid accordingly.


3. Start Looking Now


The new stimulus plan allows for more homeowners to remain in their homes where only a short time ago they needed to sell. The housing market will begin to stabilize and prices will get stronger. If you are thinking about buying a new home, now is the time to do it.


4. Get Help


The sea of homes available can be mind-boggling. Find a professional real estate agent to wade through Middlesex County homes for sale and find homes that meet your family and financial needs.

5. Get Your Financing in Order


The new stimulus plan makes banks and mortgage companies stronger and loans once again are available. Make sure you have all your information ready. Having financing done in advance makes your job of buying Middlesex County homes for sale much easier.

If you’re looking for a professional real estate agent to help you find your perfect home, find out how I can help and contact me.


Looking for timely and insightful mortgage and real estate information? Bookmark my Blog today! You'll get also local real estate commentaries, statistics and trends. I post 5 to 7 times a week.

Cathy Chaudemanche

Friday, May 15, 2009

Current and Historical Mortgage Rates Graphical Representation

Mortgage rates are one of the most important variables in the housing’s equation. First time home buyers usually overlook the effect of mortgage rates to focus more on home prices.


The mortgage rate is used to calculate monthly payment. The higher the interest rate, the higher the monthly payment. The lower the interest rate, the lower the monthly payment.

What it means is that when interest rates rise, it lessens the buying power of buyers because it increases monthly payments which are used to decide how much money the lender will let the buyer borrow.


The historical graph below tracks the 30 Year Fixed rate mortgage since 1971. Historical data is from the Freddie Mac archives. The orange lines represents both "support and resistance" lines at 6% and 16%.

30 years Mortgage Rates historical graphical representation


Same 30 Year Fixed rate mortgage since 1971 historical graph but with a "5 year" grouping. Historical data is from the Freddie Mac archives as well.




30 year fixed rate mortgage historical graph


Cathy Chaudemanche

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Barriers to Selling a Woodbridge Home in New Jersey FSBO

The biggest barriers to selling your home are often those you create yourself by wanting a quick sale or not learning all there is to know about presenting your house to its best advantage.




When you first begin to think about selling your Woodbridge home it seems easy. Put a sign on the lawn and list it. Once the shine wears off of the desire to do it all yourself, you might need some tips to help sell your home:

Clean It Up

That's the first and foremost advice. Nothing deters a real estate sale faster than a messy house. Living in your home while trying to sell it makes it difficult to keep it clean, but if you're serious about wanting to sell your home, it's worth the extra effort. You may want to learn
how to clean your home fast for those times when a buyer calls and wants to see your home in 15 minutes or less.




Internet to list your Woodbridge home in New JerseyTake Good Pictures

Where do you think people search first for homes for sale? Online. Newspapers used to be the first place people looked for homes. But now, over 85% of all home buyers look online before searching anywhere else.

Due to cost and space limitations, newspapers usually display only one photo of the front view of the home. On the internet, where space is abundant, buyers expect to see lots of exterior and interior pictures, in fact, the more the better. If you aren't experienced at getting good room photos that show off your Woodbridge home to its best advantage, hire a photographer or a real estate agent who can do it for you.


Hold an Open House

Or several. Selling your home takes time. If you are busy and can't fit opening your home up to viewers into your schedule, you may want to list your home with a real estate agent who can do it for you. It's better to leave your home in the hands of a professional real estate agent so you aren't tempted to hover over buyers as they walk through. Hanging around discourages buyers from talking to each other about the qualities of your home and from taking the time to view and consider the true potential of your home.

There are pitfalls you can get tripped up on when selling your Woodbridge home. If you'd like to work with a real estate agent who can help you maneuver around those pitfalls,
give me a call today.


Cathy Chaudemanche

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Housing Affordability Index (HAI Index)

What is the Housing Affordability index?


The Housing Affordability Index (HAI) is published monthly by the National Association of Realtors (NAR).

It measures the relationship between median priced home, median family income and mortgage rates to determine if a median income family can qualify for a mortgage on a median priced home.

The calculation assumes a down payment of 20 percent and it assumes a qualifying ratio of 25 percent. Simply said, it tracks whether housing is becoming more or less affordable for the typical household.


How to interpret this index?


A value of 100 means that a family with the median income has exactly enough income to qualify for a mortgage on a median-priced home. A HAI of 115.0 means a family earning the median family income has 115% of the income necessary to qualify for a conventional mortgage on a median-priced home.

Basically, an increase in the Housing Affordability Index shows a median income family is more able to afford the median priced home. Also a higher index number indicates that more households can afford to purchase a home.



Housing affordability index (HAI)


The HAI has reached an all time high in the first quarter of 2009 at 173, meaning a median income family has 173% of the income necessary to qualify for a conventional mortgage on a median priced home. The 3 variables for this index being the US median income, median home price and interest rates. Median home prices have corrected to the lowest in years and the interest rates have made historical lows, thus explaining the HAI explosion in 2009.

Historical data from
Realtor.org

Cathy Chaudemanche
Realtor Associate/Keller Williams RealtyMetuchen, NJ
Servicing Home Buyers and Sellers in Middlesex County, NJ
http://www.yourhousefast.com/



Monday, May 11, 2009

You Don’t Need Paint to Make Your Metuchen Home Green in New Jersey

The environment is a major news issue and everyone is thinking green. Sometimes it seems difficult to go green in your everyday life, but just a few simple steps can move you down the path to a green Metuchen home. You won't even have to break a sweat or crack open a can of paint.


Make your Metuchen Home Green in New Jersey

In the Laundry Room


Pick machines for your Metuchen home that have an Energy Star rating for peak performance to conserve water and electricity. According to Planet Green, an Energy Star washer saves enough water over the machine's life to provide drinking water for six people for a LIFETIME. It will also save you hundreds of dollars in utility bills over an average 11 year machine lifespan. Use natural drying when possible. Hang clothes on a clothesline in the sun on nice days.


Use green products to wash your clothes. Laundry soaps that contain phosphates are dangerous to the environment. Look for products made from bio-degradable phosphate free materials.


At the Store


Buy your cleaning supplies and cleaning detergents as concentrates so you get more in each bottle. The fewer bottles you buy throughout the year the less ends up in a landfill.

Buy florescent bulbs instead of incandescent and carry your purchases home in reusable shopping bags.


Eat Green Right from Your Backyard


You can make your Metuchen home your very own grocery store. It doesn't take a huge space to grow a garden big enough to feed an average family each year. You will harvest fresh vegetables you know are free of pesticides and herbicides that are bad for the environment and your health.


Need help understanding mortgage and real estate terms? Subscribe to my blog today! Or Bookmark my main Blog Here. You'll get also money saving home maintenance and staging tips, local real estate tips, info and statistics 4 to 6 times a week.

Cathy Chaudemanche

Realtor Associate/Keller Williams RealtyMetuchen, NJ

Servicing Home Buyers and Sellers in Middlesex County, NJ

http://www.yourhousefast.com/

Sunday, May 10, 2009

Wise Investments to Prepare your Edison Home for Sale in New Jersey

If you're thinking of listing your Edison home for sale in New Jersey and know it needs a little sprucing up, here are a few tips on the smartest home improvements you can make to help sell your home faster and for more money.


Preparing your home for sale in Edison, New Jersey

Kitchen remodeling stands at the top of any list of most attractive projects for re-sale value. Crisp clean new cabinets, fresh tile and countertops all make for buyer approval and is money well spent.


Bathroom remodeling is a good bet but not nearly as good as adding additional bathrooms, unless your home already has a lot of them.


Adding central heat and air to replace floorboard or radiator heat is a huge selling point for any Edison home for sale.


Installing a deck or patio. This one hovers close to the middle of the do/don't numbers but it is still a nice investment that can make your home feel more comfortable and give it more 'space.'


Items that are less likely to be worth the money include:


• Installing a backyard pool. Some people think a pool is attractive. To many buyers, it's nothing but additional work and expense.


• Converting your basement into a finished living space. Many buyers like a finished basement, but it's the main living space that counts most to them. Your money would be better spent above ground.

It is important to fix up your home to get it ready for buyers. But with money tighter than we've seen it in a long time, you need to focus on those improvements that will give you a good return on your money.


If you are considering selling your home in the area and would like more tips on what works and what doesn't when fixing up your home, I can help. Buyers are back but this is still a challenging market for sellers in Middlesex County, New Jersey. Contact me today, I have people and I get results :)


Cathy Chaudemanche

Friday, May 8, 2009

May YTD Average Condo and Townhouse Prices for Middlesex County Cities (New Jersey)

- Middlesex County Condos and Townhouses prices (do not include single family homes price). Calculated with YTD=05/01/2009

Avenel $240,125
Dunellen $194,000
East Brunswick $244,124
Edison $281,032
Fords $245,000
Helmetta $221,500
Highland Park $346,000
Iselin $203,333
Jamesburg $208,250
Metuchen $291,000
Middlesex $181,967
Milltown $207,000
Monroe $370,000
New Brunswick $219,000
North Brunswick $226,575
Old Bridge $298,913
Perth Amboy $179,000
Piscataway $271,048
Plainsboro $220,496
Sayreville $262,109
South Amboy $396,250
South Brunswick $273,202
South Plainfield$245,000
Spotswood $208,800
Woodbridge $190,438

*Source Data from Middlesex County Multiple Listing System MLS.

Cathy Chaudemanche
http://www.yourhousefast.com/members-only--------.asp

Thursday, May 7, 2009

What If A Seller Has A “Counter” Out On An Edison Home For Sale In New Jersey?

Waiting to hear back from a seller on an offer you made on an Edison home for sale can be nerve wracking. Since sellers aren’t obligated to respond immediately, you may spend time waiting anxiously by the phone. When your agent finally calls you, it’s with the news that the seller has a “counter” out on the property already. What does that mean?


Edison Home for sale in New JerseyIs your offer out the window?


Not exactly. In New Jersey, a seller is allowed to counter or respond to as many offers to buy their home as they want. If the seller has responded to a buyer’s offer with a counter-offer and then receives an offer from a second buyer that is better, the seller does not have to accept the first buyer’s offer. The seller simply takes back the counter-offer and accepts the second buyer’s bid.


Make Your Best Offer


So, how do you make the best offer on an Edison home for sale that has a counter-offer out on it? First of all, if there is another offer on the property, submit an offer for the most money that you would pay for the house. You may not get another chance to negotiate for this dream home, and you don’t want to miss your opportunity.


Get a Pre-approval Letter


A seller will take your offer more seriously if you attach a pre-approval letter from your lender to it. If your offer is similar to the other person’s, you may win out because you have financing already secured. Many sellers are waiting for their old homes to sell before they buy a new one. If your offer will get them into their new home faster, it might be the edge you need to get the home that you want.


Increase Your Earnest Money Deposit


Make a large earnest money deposit on the Edison home for sale. If you’re unable to pay more for the home, you can increase the size of your earnest money check. You don’t lose any of the money because it will go towards your down payment or closing costs.


If you're thinking of buying a home in Edison or Central Jersey, I'd love to help you find your perfect home. Contact me today.


Cathy Chaudemanche

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

A Great Middlesex County Real Estate Agent Can Help You Find the Best Homes for Sale in New Jersey

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Finding a home may seem like a simple ordeal. There are ads all over the internet, and your local newspaper probably has pages of listings. So why bother working with a Middlesex County real estate agent?


Middlesex County Real Estate AgentYour real agent isn't going to help you just find homes for sale; they're going to help you find the perfect home. So what does a Middlesex County real estate agent knows that you don't know, and how can they find the best homes for sale?


Intimate Knowledge

Finding a Middlesex County real estate agent who specializes in the area where you want to buy is especially helpful because they have intimate knowledge of the homes for sale. The agent also knows the locale and can give you tips about schools, transportation, shopping and other necessities.


MLS Searches

While you can view many listings online, your real estate agent will know exactly how to manipulate the MLS to find the most desired features you want in a New Jersey home.


Negotiation Skills

One of the most important things a good Middlesex County real estate agent can do for you is negotiating your offer. There is a lot more to finding (and getting) a home than just looking through listings. Your agent will make sure all of the proper procedures are being followed, home inspections and title searches are getting done and time schedules are being met.


Legal Know How

Real estate agents go through special training to ensure they know all the real estate laws. Going it alone makes for ample room to slip up and either negate the deal or end up in hot legal water.


Don't take any chances on letting that prized home get away by missing a legal loophole, or just plain not finding it.


If you're looking for a real estate agent who can find your perfect New Jersey home and negotiate to get the best price and terms for you, contact me today.


Cathy Chaudemanche

Sunday, May 3, 2009

May YTD Average Home Prices for Middlesex County Cities (New Jersey)

- Middlesex County Single family home (do not include Townhouse/Condo). Calculated with YTD=05/01/2009


Avenel $274,125

Carteret $258,730

Colonia $343,154

Cranbury $680,000

Dunellen $261,125

East Brunswick $376,110

Edison $384,256

Fords $266,017

Helmetta $270,000

Highland Park $308,563

Hopelawn $241,300

Iselin $318,679

Jamesburg $255,286

Keasbey $256,500

Metuchen $390,800

Middlesex $297,305

Milltowm $272,571

Monroe $458,942

New Brunswick $278,158

North Brunswick $338,630

Old Bridge $355,721

Perth Amboy $197,088

Piscataway $325,877

Plainsboro $490,667

Port Read $275,000

Sayreville $293,106

Sewaren $256,250

South Amboy $207,600

South Brunswick $522,499

South Plainfield$302,290

South River $278,500

Spotswood $307,129

Woodbridge $295,857


*Source Data from Middlesex County Multiple Listing System MLS.


Cathy Chaudemanche

Saturday, May 2, 2009

Scrounging Up a Down Payment for Your Iselin Real Estate in New Jersey

You've decided to take the plunge and buy a home in New Jersey for your family. You may still be looking for ways to need a more sizeable down payment. So, how do you get the down payment for the Iselin real estate you've always dreamed of?


Down Payment for your Iselin Real Estate in New JerseyGet Scrounging


Scour your attic, basement and storage units. Look in every nook and cranny to find items that are in decent shape, but no longer used, and have a garage sale. Sure it's usually pennies on the dollar of what your stuff is worth. But if you're not using it, someone else can, and you get the cash in hand. If you find items that are more valuable, sell them on eBay. Every little bit helps.




Rich Relatives?


Hey, if you have'em use'em. This is no time to feel shy about asking for a gift. Purchasing Iselin real estate in New Jersey is a wise investment. Many relatives who might otherwise be unwilling to give cash for frivolous items are happy to help loved ones buy a home.




Sell Something Big


Having precious jewelry or antiques is a great asset. Consider selling items you've been holding onto as investments, in order to get the home of your dreams.


There are many ways to come up with the down payment and financing you need to buy Iselin real estate.


Cathy Chaudemanche

Friday, May 1, 2009

Rent or Buy a North Brunswick Condo in New Jersey?

With the current economy, it may seem like a better idea to rent a North Brunswick condo in New Jersey instead of buying one. Let's explore some of the reasons why it's still better to buy rather than rent.


Buy a North Brunswick Condo in New Jersey

Throwing Money Away


When you rent that's basically what you're doing. You give your money away in exchange for a 'perishable' item—one month of living space. Once that month is over, the money is gone and you didn't get anything of long term value in return.

When you buy a North Brunswick condo you still spend money for a month of living space, but in addition, you're building long term equity. It may take longer and property may not increase in value as quickly as it did in the past, at least for now, but the money you spend becomes a back end asset instead of just disappearing.




Tax Breaks


When you buy a home, you can deduct the interest and property taxes that you pay every year on your income taxes. That can be a sizeable amount of money. If you buy your first home in 2009, you get an even bigger tax break of $8,000 as a result of President Obama's stimulus plan.


Saving Money


Yes, you actually end up saving money in the long run if you buy a home rather than rent. According to The New York Times, over a 16-year period you can save as much as $5,000.00 by owning your own home. And, that number doesn't include the $8,000 tax credit first-time home buyers get when they purchase a principle residence in 2009.


The bottom line is that the housing market troubles have nothing to do with the 'evils' of homeownership. They have to do with bad lending practices, and people wanting more than they can afford.

Choose your North Brunswick condo wisely, only buy what you can afford to pay for each month, and pay attention to the loan you are being offered.


Cathy Chaudemanche