Archive for February, 2008
My Birthday Week at The Best New Jersey Restaurants
February 28th, 2008 Categories: NJ Dining Out
Living along the Midtown Direct Train Line has its benefits: Great food within a ten minute drive in any direction!
I like to cook–sort of. We are fortunate to be able to sit down together as a family four/five nights a week. Sometimes I make dinner. Sometimes my husband does. He is a much better chef…just ask him 
Last week, however, was special…it was my birthday!!! So I went out a lot with friends and family…a seven day celebration at my favorite restaurants having my favorite dishes.
Sunday dinner was Steak Salad with Frizzled Onions at The Landmark in Livingston.
Monday was lunch at Samurai Sushi in Millburn…Samarai Salad, just the right amount of spicy.
Tuesday lunch was at Basilico in Millburn of Crabmeat and Grapefruit Salad.
Wednesday lunch was the Swordfish Special at Restaurant MC in Millburn. Marc Cooperman, the owner, kept the champagne flowing…thanks Marc!
Wednesday Birthday Dinner in Summit at La Focaccia with Rack of Lamb done to perfection.
I thought dinner at Antonella’s in South Orange ended the food fest with Grilled Bronzini and Ratatouille on Friday evening.
But, Saturday was a Surprise Party…now that’s what I call a Terrific Birthday Week!!!
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New Jersey Home Seller’s Realty Transfer Fee (RTF)
February 27th, 2008 Categories: NJ Real Estate Laws, Selling A Home in NJ
The New Jersey Realty Transfer Fee (RTF) question comes up on a daily basis with sellers…so, 
I asked my go-to New Jersey Real Estate Attorney Rosemary Stone-Dougherty to shed some light on this topic: 
The New Jersey Realty Transfer Fee (RTF) is essentially a sales tax based on the sale of your home and is paid by the seller. It is strictly calculated off the Deed price of your home and per Statute.
Unfortunately, there is not an easy calculation for this fee, as it is a three step/base calculation based on properties exceeding $250,000, $500,000, etc. It is paid to the County Clerk where the property is located. This fee must be collected at closing and sent in with the Deed or the County Clerk will refuse to record the new Buyer’s Deed (Big Problem!). Read the rest of this entry »
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Why Use a Wholesale Mortgage Banker?
February 20th, 2008 Categories: Buying a Home in NJ, Millburn & Short Hills Living, NJ Mortgage Update
Consider using a Wholesale Mortgage Banker for your mortgage this Spring. Why?
Wholesale Mortgage Bankers have access to two distinct sources of mortgage money:
- Secondary Market:
This source of capital comes from investors that invest in mortgage backed securities. Loans are originated then sold to Wall Street banks, bundled into mortgage backed securities and sold.
If a particular loan fits within FNMA’s guidelines they are then sold to FNMA. Since FNMA loans are a large percentage of the overall mortgage market, their 30 yr fixed rate is often the standard when rates are quoted. These rates are driven by the appetite that investors have for buying mortgage backed securities. Their rates are totally market driven.
In the last two months, the market has driven those rates from 6.375%, down to 5.25% and back up to 6.5%. This is a reflection of investor’s outlook for the future value of mortgage backed securities. Read the rest of this entry »
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Union County New Jersey Home Sales January 2008
February 15th, 2008 Categories: Buying a Home in NJ, Recent New Jersey Home Sales
Union County, New Jersey is quite diverse in terms of real estate prices, communities and property size.
While we saw a bit of a dip in average home sale prices in January 2008, a recent surge in new homes on the market…point us to a more positive outlook for Spring.
If you are thinking of moving to Summit or Springfield, New Jersey please contact Perri K. Feldman at 973.650.4727 or Search the Garden State MLS here.
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Essex County New Jersey Home Sales January 2008
February 15th, 2008 Categories: Buying a Home in NJ, NJ First Time Home Buyers, Recent New Jersey Home Sales
As expected, average sales prices continue to rise in Millburn/Short Hills and Montclair with sustaining prices in the remainder of Essex County.
All indications are that entry level homes ($400,000-$600,000) in these communities will benefit from falling interest rates…thus stimulating growth as we enter the key spring selling season.
To find homes for sale in Essex County search Midtown Direct Homes or call Perri @ 973.650.4727.
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Morris County New Jersey Home Sales January 2008
February 15th, 2008 Categories: Buying a Home in NJ, Recent New Jersey Home Sales
The Midtown Direct Train line had a positive effect on January 2008 home sale prices in Morris County
As commuters were willing to add an additional twenty minutes onto their travel time, the benefit of lower taxes and larger lot sizes became much more appealing…keeping average sale price growth steady in Morris County, New Jersey.
If you are looking for a new home in the Morris County New Jersey communities of Chatham, Florham Park, Madison or Morristown please contact Perri @ 973.650.4727 or search at Midtown Direct Homes or right here at New Jersey Real Estate Wire.
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Happy Valentine’s Day New Jersey
February 14th, 2008 Categories: Buying a Home in NJ, Just Because...
Happy Valentine’s Day!!!
To everyone looking for a new kitchen
and bedrooms
and bathrooms
and new homes
in
New Jersey!!!
NJRealEstateWire Invites You to Search Here
For Your New Home in NJ Through
The Garden State MLS
FOR FREE
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Top 10 Signs That It’s Time to Sell Your Home in New Jersey
February 11th, 2008 Categories: Selling A Home in NJ
It may be ten degrees outside,
but Spring is right around the corner.
Here are the Top 10 Signs
That It’s Time to Sell Your NJ Home
1. When you bought your house, you lived in the country. Now you’re surrounded by high rises.
2. You can’t get any appliances repaired because “they stopped making those parts years ago.”
3. The swing set in the backyard
has sprouted roots.
4. The plumber’s phone number
is on your speed dial.
5. Your phone number
is on your plumber’s speed dial.
6. All the children’s rooms
are now guest bedrooms.
7. You haven’t visited the other half of the house
in six months.
8. You have to move the furniture
to see the carpet’s original color.
9. Your bathroom is a lovely shade
of avocado green
– from the first time it was in style.
10. You can’t make any improvements
to the exterior of your home
without getting approval
from the Board of Historic Monuments.
If you need advice about selling your home in New Jersey’s Essex, Morris or Union Counties, please give Perri at call at 973.650.4727 or email Perri@MidtownDirectHomes.com
1. When you bought your house, you lived in the country. Now you’re surrounded by high rises.
2. You can’t get any appliances repaired because “they stopped making those parts years ago.”
3. The swing set in the backyard
has sprouted roots.
4. The plumber’s phone number
is on your speed dial.
5. Your phone number
is on your plumber’s speed dial.
6. All the children’s rooms
are now guest bedrooms.
7. You haven’t visited the other half of the house
in six months.
8. You have to move the furniture
to see the carpet’s original color.
9. Your bathroom is a lovely shade
of avocado green
– from the first time it was in style.
10. You can’t make any improvements
to the exterior of your home
without getting approval
from the Board of Historic Monuments.
If you need advice about selling your home in New Jersey’s Essex, Morris or Union Counties, please give Perri at call at 973.650.4727 or email Perri@MidtownDirectHomes.com
has sprouted roots.
is on your speed dial.
is on your plumber’s speed dial.
are now guest bedrooms.
in six months.
to see the carpet’s original color.
of avocado green
– from the first time it was in style.
to the exterior of your home
without getting approval
from the Board of Historic Monuments.
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Valentine’s Day Gifts: NJ OPEN HOUSES SUNDAY 1-4pm
February 8th, 2008 Categories: Madison Living, NJ Open Houses, West Orange Living
Nothing says I LOVE YOU more than a New Home!!!
This Sunday, February 10th from 1-4pm, take a drive to New Jersey to see two wonderful townhomes for sale…both only 30-45 minutes from NYC:
240 Clarken Drive
Crystal Woods
West Orange, New Jersey
148 Leeds Court
Madison Commons
Madison, New Jersey
To view all of the homes for sale (adjacent to) or along the Midtown Direct Train line for FREE or call Perri @ 973.650.4727.
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Facts About New Jersey
February 7th, 2008 Categories: Buying a Home in NJ, NJ First Time Home Buyers
Every couple of months I get this email about New Jersey “truisms” that this Jersey Girl can appreciate…so I thought I would share it with you.
This latest email came from Debbi out of Blaine, Minnesota from my Millburn High School graduating class (way back when.)
Facts about NJ
If you’ve ever lived in Jersey…you’ll appreciate this!!!
New Jersey is a peninsula.
Highlands, New Jersey has the highest elevation along the entire eastern seaboard, from Maine to Florida.
New Jersey is the only state where all of its counties are classified as
metropolitan areas.
New Jersey has more race horses than Kentucky.
New Jersey has more Cubans in Union City (1 sq mi.) than Havana, Cuba.
New Jersey has the densest system of highways and railroads in the US.
New Jersey has the highest cost of living.
New Jersey has the highest cost of auto insurance.
New Jersey has the highest property taxes in the nation.
New Jersey has the most diners in the world and is sometimes referred to
as the “Diner Capital of the World.” Read the rest of this entry »
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