I'll be married twenty two years in 36 hours.A tradition of exchanging Catholic wedding vows is the ritual of attending Pre-cana. Pre-cana is like husband-training for Dummies. Men typically don't fail Pre-cana but many women have wondered, "What am I getting myself into?" For a serious description of Pre-cana try clicking on http://www.loyola.edu/weddings/precanainfo.html. (I believe we attended our Pre-cana at Our Lady of Good Counsel on Staten Island.)After an initial private consultation with the priest, young couples join up with the rest of the Pre-cana class. The open session is run by older, married Catholic couples. It's sort of like the top producers of your real estate office showing off their new listings during the weekly sales meeting. Only it's older women showing off the... 08/27/2007

One of the perks of working as a full-time Realtor is the opportunity to invest in real estate. Usually the seller still pays you -- the Realtor/buyer -- a commission once you've disclosed you're on the other side of the contract. Now how's that for an advantage: we know the area, real estate values and we're incented to purchase property.Probably the best blog I've read about stating the case for Realtors buying investment property as a retirement plan is Chris Lengquist's article "Why Don't More REALTORS Own Investment Property?" http://activerain.com/blogsview/125870/Why-Don-t-MoreWell, I do invest aongside my wife Liz who is a trained and accomplished Interior Designer. As a Realtor/buyer you have to expect that there will be defects. We're no luckier than the general public. One of... 08/23/2007

There are currently 126 houses on the market in Colts Neck.  The prices range from a modest two bedroom home on Heyers Mill Road for $414,900 to a 12,347 square foot home in Due Process with a listing price of $5,200,000.  The 12,347 square feet does not include the finished basement.42 houses in Colts Neck have closed title from January 1, 2007 through July 15, 2007.  The average sold price for a Colts Neck house in 2007 is $1,066,291 which is higher than the 2006 prices. House values in Colts Neck remain strong.For information on how the 2006 prices compare with 2007, please feel free to call Timothy Schwartz, a Certified Residential Specialist with CENTURY 21 Showcase in Colts Neck, NJ.  He can be reached at (732) 845-3600 ext 206 or you can view Colts Neck houses at http://www.Think... 07/16/2007

I won't be at my computer July 4th, our Independence Day. If I don't write something today, I'll wake up on July 5th and I'll kick myself. Another chance to honor my country and I would have forgot. Years ago I worked on Wall Street with a young man from Turkey named Greg. The company sponsored one of those booze cruises around lower Manhattan. We were all whooping it up, with our Coors Light beers, cheap suits and even cheaper jokes. We sailed beneath the Statue of Liberty and barely noticed while the boat rocked past Ellis Island. Heck, we grew up beneath the Statue of Liberty and rarely noticed. My eye caught Greg alone on the side of the rail. He had tears in his eyes. "What's up, Greg. You okay?" I asked"She's beautiful," he stammered. "Whose beautiful?" I asked, turning around to ... 06/26/2007

Buying or selling residential real estate is as much an emotional endeavor as it is a financial one. That said, you still need a Realtor who can analyze trends, properties and financing options. I feel I'm that guy. A favorite tool of mine is to measure an area's Rate of Appreciation when real estate values are climbing. Or a Rate of Depreciation when values are falling. Let's focus on Colts Neck Township, which some folks consider the crown jewel of Monmouth County. Surrounded by lush horse farms and panaromic rustic views, Colts Neck has enjoyed a resiliency with values. I believe any decrease in values presents a genuine buying opportunity. If you're interested in Colts Neck real estate, now is the time to call me at (732) 431-9003. Here's a table describing the yearly percentage inc... 06/22/2007

Welcome to the Grande in Colts Neck, New Jersey.  The Grande is a planned development (built in 1993) you can enjoy in the southwestern part of Colts Neck, bordering Freehold to the west and Howell to the south. The Grande is quaint and a wonderful place to live. There is a genuine sense of community in the Grande with houses arranged in mini cul-de-sac's. Residents enjoy a community center with pool and a friendly environment to walk and jog. Image courtesy of Google satellite at http://maps.google.com/ And added benefit to the Grande is that the water and sewer systems are tied into Freehold township's infrastructure. Colts Neck residents who live outside the Grande maintain their own water supplies (with well and related equipment) and septic needs with tanks and fields. The addition... 06/21/2007

I am a Residential specialist for Monmouth County. As the Broker and Owner of my own agency, I pride myself on two simple principles of doing business: (1) my clients needs always come first and (2) the buck starts and stops with me. You can hire me, the Boss, and go straight to the top. My name is on the door. It's a good name and I aim to keep it that way for my children. Andrew J. Lenza, ABR GRI MBAAndrew J. Lenza Realty. Call me today at (732) 431-9003 or e-mail at andrewlenza@verizon.net. COLTS NECK TOWNSHIPSix Months MLS Data: Single Family Home SalesJan. - Jun. 2007# Closed Sales28Average List Price $                  1,156,724 Average Closed Price $                  1,079,537 % of Closed to List Price93%Average Days on Market116VERSUS LAST YEAR...Jan. - Jun. 2006# Closed Sales46... 06/01/2007

Wine tasting in Colts Neck to be held on June 2, 2007 at the new Colts Neck Community CenterCome on by and support "Sight First" while taking in some Jazz tunes and sampling some local wines.  This benefit is sponsored by the Colts Neck Lions Club.The community center was built last year at no expense to the taxpayers.  The 5,000 square foot facility will host this first annual event.  It is being held at one of Colts Neck's lovely parks......Buck Mill Park on Bucks Mill Road off County Road Rt. 537.Come visit Colts Neck and help us out with a good cause.  100% of the proceeds will go to "Sight First"Details are available at http://coltsneckopinion.com  05/22/2007

Houses sold in The Grande through March 27, 2007.Two houses closed year to date in the Grande.  Both houses were listed for $529,900 and closed for $500,000 representing 93.3% of the listing price.There are currently 5 houses under contract in the Grande.  These houses were listed from $524,900 to $619,900. The average listing price of houses under contract in the Grande is $571,640.There are currently 7 houses available in the Grande listed from $524,900 to $649,900 with an average listing  price of $588,829To search all the homes currently for sale and to see the Colts Neck listings including the Multiple MLS Listings visit http://www.monmouthmls.com to tour Colts Neck REAL ESTATE.You can also reach CENTURY 21 Showcase on their toll free 800# by calling (866) RELO-C21 or locally (732)... 03/26/2007

Search real estate listings and homes in Colts Neck Colts Neck RealEstate This Free search includes an opportunity to get updated of new listings on a daily basis. Feel free to call upon an agent in my office for buyer representation when moving to Colts Neck or in Monmouth County in general.You can have new listings emailed to you.  Join the hot list for the latest information and new listings of Real Estate in Colts Neck.  You will get information on Colts Neck listings before many real estate agents in Monmouth County even see the houses are for sale. Search all the Colts Neck listings and homes for sale in Colts Neck by searching Colts Neck real estate at http://www.monmouthmls.comYou can also reach a CENTURY 21 Showcase real estate agent on o... 03/24/2007

Colts Neck approves full day kindergarten effective September 2007.  Full day kindergarten will be optional and will have a $2,550 price tag attached to it.  The good news is, the cost will have no effect on property taxes or the school budget.Full day kindergarten has more than doubled in popularity over the last 3 years.  In the 2004 school year only 23 public schools in Monmouth county OFFERED FULL DAY KINDERGARTEN.  Today, we have 49 public schools in Monmouth County offering full day kindergarten.  Currently there is only one school district in Monmouth County (Roosevelt) using tuition based full day kindergarten.If you have any questions about the Colts Neck schools, please feel free to call CENTURY 21 Showcase toll free (866) RELO-C21.  03/04/2007

Select your Colts Neck New Jersey property search criteria and choose daily or weekly updates, We'll automatically search the entire local MLS database and e-mail you every listed property in Colts Neck matching your criteria. You'll know about the hottest Colts Neck properties first, often before many Realtors even know about them!To activate your free Colts Neck Automated Home finder Service, click here.If you need to speak to someone live, call me anytime at 732-431-2900 02/25/2007

  Joe Clark, Lou Costello, Frank Lautenberg, Samuel Colt, Hurricane Carter, Sal Barbagallo.What do these fellow Americans have in common?  They were all born or lived in the City of Paterson home of the Great Falls.  The Great Falls is a great gush of force and power not unlike the famous people that are from that City,Whether it's a great leader, a funny guy, a Politician, an inventor, a boxer or a guy born Salvatore Barbagallo.  Not only do they have Paterson, NJ in common, they are all successful in their own right even if you believe Hurricane is guilty, don't like Joe's leadership style, don't think Lou was funny, don't approve of Sam's invention and disagree with the Senator's politics. Sal is always smiling and a happy go lucky guy and in typical Italian style is very close with ... 02/19/2007

Yes the 2006 market overall was off in the East Coast but we are bouncing back quickly.  The average price house in Colts Neck that closed in 2007 is $1,068,906 which represents a 13.4% increase in value compared to the average closing of $942,500 that occured this same time last year.The days on market also went down to 89 days on the market where it was 229 days this same time last year.One additional house closed in Jan 07 compared to Jan 06.  The best stat is houses year to date in Colts Neck closed for 101.86% of the listing price.  In Jan 2006, Colts Neck houses closed for 83.93% of the list price.What does it all mean? It means houses that are priced right will sell for their full value.  There is still a strong demand for quality houses that are located only 1 hour outside of NY... 02/13/2007

Sal Barbagallo is the proud builder and owner of the Colts Neck Commons on Rt. 34 in Colts Neck, NJ.  The Colts Neck Cafe offers a nice lunch and great coffee.  There are 8 other commercial tenants in the building.  This building is just North of Rt 18 and South of Rt. 537.  The adjacent lot is currently being developed and a pharmacy just opened up.  Now Colts Neck has two pharmacies. 02/11/2007

Search real estate listings and homes in Colts Neck http://idxpro.cisdata.net/AR50941a/index.htmlThere are currently 119 houses for sale in Colts Neck Township. Many of these homes in Colts Neck are new listings.This Free search includes google maps and listings with addresses.  Feel free to call upon an agent in my office for buyer representation when moving to Colts Neck or in Monmouth County in general.You can have new listings emailed to you.  Join the hot list for the latest information and new listings of Colts Neck Real Estate.  You will get information on Freehold listings before many real estate agents in Monmouth County even see the houses for sale.   02/11/2007

A photo taken in Colts Neck as a student gets ready for school. Colts Neck Township is part of the Freehold Regional School System and host 1 of the 7 high schools that are in the district.  Colts Neck High School also host the ROTC Training Program which is led by Lt. Colonel James Sfayer.  Our high school is on the corner of Five Point Road and Rt. 537, it was built on the 133 acre farm that was farmed by Tony Abbottiello. 02/04/2007

Colts Neck is more vibrant than ever!  There is always something exciting to do or see.  Whether it is taking in a show, enjoying an outdoor festival, attending a community class, or simply hanging out and enjoying Colts Neck's unique culture. It is the people that make Colts Neck special.  This is a place to work, live and call home.  Colts Neck sits peacefully very near the center of Monmouth County. It is bounded by Tinton Falls, Holmdel, Lincroft, Howell, Freehold, and Marlboro. Colts Neck is criss-crossed by a number of major routes: Route 34 runs north to south and routes  18, 537 and 54 run east to west.First known as Atlantic Township, which was comprised of parts of Shrewsbury, Middletown, and Freehold townships of 1847, the community became Colts Neck in 1962. From 1844 to 185... 01/29/2007