This is a Real Estate Market Recap of Hillsborough, NJ; August 2012:   Closed Sales 31 new happy homeowners in Hillsborough since July 1st 2012: 26 home sales and 13 townhouse/duplex sales.   84 homes are under contract in Hillsborough: 49 single family homes and 35 townhouse/duplexes.   There were 93 new listings here in town since June 1st 2012 (58 homes and 35 townhouses). There were 40 new listings since July 1st 2012 (27 homes and 13 townhouses). All of this information is important to include in the Real Estate Market Recap of Hillsborough. I feel that the recent lower home prices and the lower mortgage interest rates can make it a great time to buy a house.   If you would like details of the houses that sold or are still on the market in Hillsborough please call (908) 574-9483 or... 08/03/2012

Hillsborough, NJ Open Houses for Sunday July 29th 2012 Please find below a list of open houses in Hillsborough, NJ for Sunday July 29th 2012. These are public Hillsborough open houses. Open houses are a great way to start looking at the homes available in this area. These Hillsborough Homes for Sale are listed for by property type (Houses, Condos, Adult Community), number of bedrooms and asking price.   Address List Price Style Rooms Beds Baths Garage Basement Days On Market 53 Taurus Dr Unit 1a* $229,000 Townhouse-End Unit 6 2 2.1 1 Yes 22 442 Tall Oak Ln* $229,000 Townhouse-End Unit 6 3 2.1 0 Yes 9 952 ROBIN RD* $239,800 Townhouse-Interior 6 3 2.1 0 Yes 176 503 Columbia Cmn* $242,900 Colonial, Townhouse-Interior 5 2 1.1 0 Yes 93 287 Gemini Dr Unit 2d* $269,000 Contemporary, Townhouse-... 07/28/2012

    Buyers and Sellers in Somerset County, NJ:   Knobs, Hinges and Hardware, Oh My!   Nothing makes a home look older than loose, broken, outdated or dirty hardware. This is especially true in kitchens and bathrooms that tend to attract a homebuyer’s attention more than any other rooms in a house. The good thing is that it is easy and inexpensive to fix these problems. You will be amazed at what a difference a few simple changes can make!        Consider the following updates to brighten your home and give it a new, refreshed look:   ·         Cabinet Hardware: Repair loose knobs and pulls by tightening screws, replacing stripped screws, and plugging gaps with wood filler. Alternately, you may decide to replace knobs and pulls entirely. There is a wide variety of options to choose from ... 07/26/2012

 Somerset County: Product Recalls of Home Improvement Items, Summer 2012 (New!) IKEA Recalls Track Lighting System: Electric Shock Hazard If you have a track lighting system from IKEA, check to see if it’s being recalled. Read   (New!) 45,000 Kawasaki Drills Recalled: Burn Hazard The Consumer Product Safety Commission has recalled 45,000 Kawasaki cordless drills that pose a burn risk. Read   (New!) Frigidaire Ranges Recalled Because of Fire Hazard If you have a Frigidaire self-clean range from Lowe’s, check to see if it’s been recalled because of a fire hazard. Read   (New!) Bel Air Wall Mount Lanterns Recalled: Fire, Burn, Shock Hazards The CPSC is recalling Bel Air Lighting outdoor wall mount lanterns that can cause fires, burns, or electric shocks. Read   (New!) 84,000 Thomas Lightin... 07/26/2012

  As a Somerset County Realtor I Do Many Things to Help Get Your House Sold!   I have many PRE-LISTING DUTIES, including making the appointment with the seller for listing presentation.  After sending the seller a written or e-mail confirmation of listing appointment or call to confirm, I review pre-appointment questions and research all comparables that are currently listed properties.  I research sales activity for past 18 months from MLS and public records databases andresearch “Average Days on Market” for properties of this type,  price range and location.  I download and review property tax roll information.             I prepare “Comparable Market Analysis” (CMA) and “Price Trend Analysis” (PTA) to establish fair market value.  I obtain copy of subdivision plat/complex lay-out, re... 07/25/2012

July 2012 Housing Trends eNewsletter Containing Local Real Estate Information for Areas Including Manville, Somerset and Hillsborough NJ. Please click on this link to view my July 2012 Housing Trends eNewsletter. The July 2012 Housing Trends eNewsletter contains the latest information from the National Association of REALTORS®, the U.S. Census Bureau, Realtor.org reports and other sources. It has consumer videos, blogs and a real estate glossary. You can also find real estate radio, REALTOR.com local community reports and local and national real estate sales and price activity provided by local MLSs and the National Association of REALTORS®. It includes press releases with charts and videos, key market indicators and real estate sales and price statistics, a video message by a nationall... 07/20/2012

Hillsborough, NJ Open Houses for Sunday July 22nd 2012 Please find below a list of open houses in Hillsborough, NJ for Sunday July 22nd 2012. These are public Hillsborough open houses. Open houses are a great way to start looking at the homes available in this area. These Hillsborough Homes for Sale are listed for by property type (Houses, Condos, Adult Community), number of bedrooms and asking price.   Address List Price Style Rooms Beds Baths Garage Basement Days On Market 442 Tall Oak Ln* $229,000 Townhouse-End Unit 6 3 2.1 0 Yes 2 952 ROBIN RD* $239,800 Townhouse-Interior 6 3 2.1 0 Yes 169 57 Berkshire Ct* $257,000 Townhouse-End Unit 6 2 2.1 0 Yes 8 216 Amwell Rd* $347,500 Expanded Ranch 10 3 1.1 0 Yes 116 111 MOUNTAIN VIEW RD* $349,900 Bi-Level 8 4 1.1 1 No 182 1243 Millstone River... 07/20/2012

  Why Buyers and Sellers Need a Building Permit in Somerset County, NJ   Building permits are required in most municipalities for any kind of repair, improvement, construction, modification or demolition work on a house. While it may seem costly and time intensive, the permitting process and subsequent inspections help protect your family from safety risks like structural failures, fire hazards caused by electrical and heating systems, and electrical shock.        In addition, work done without a permit can come back and haunt you when it comes time to sell your home. Here’s why:   ·         In many states, home sellers must disclose repairs or additions to potential buyers. If they were done without a permit, the buyer may demand that the seller get the work permitted and inspected by ... 07/19/2012

Available Rentals in Hillsborough, NJ as of July 2012   Please find below a list of some available rentals in Hillsborough, NJ as of July 2012. They are listed for Hillsborough Available Rentals by property type (Houses, Condos, Adult Community), number of bedrooms, number of baths, garage availability and listed (asking) rental price.   Please call of email me at to get more information of these and other available rentals in Hillsborough. I would be able to show you these or other rentals in the Hillsborough area.   Address Rent Price Style TRMS TBRS TBTH GAR S Branch Rd $1,200 2 Stories 4 2 2 0 Eves Dr Unit 1J $1,200 1 Story, First Floor Unit, One Floor Unit 4 1 1 0 Merritt Drive 2E $1,250 Condo Complex, First Floor Unit 4 1 1 0 Hamilton Road $1,350 Apartment, One Floor Unit 4 2 1 0 ... 07/19/2012

Hillsborough, NJ Open Houses for Sunday July 15th 2012 Please find below a list of open houses in Hillsborough, NJ for Sunday July 15th 2012. These are public Hillsborough open houses. Open houses are a great way to start looking at the homes available in this area. These Hillsborough Homes for Sale are listed for by property type (Houses, Condos, Adult Community), number of bedrooms and asking price.   Address List Price Style Rooms Beds Baths Garage Basement Days On Market 53 Taurus Dr Unit 1a* $229,000 Townhouse-End Unit 6 2 2.1 1 Yes 8 60 Shire Ct* $243,000 Townhouse-Interior 6 3 2.1 0 Yes 102 38 Shire Ct* $250,000 Townhouse-Interior 8 3 2.1 0 Yes 19 287 GEMINI DR 4A* $269,999 Contemporary 6 2 2.1 1 Yes 41 1 Chetwood Ct* $277,000 Townhouse-End Unit 6 2 2.1 0 Yes 45 216 Amwell Rd* $3... 07/13/2012

Green Living is Possible in Somerset County, New Jersey Is Failing to be Green the Same as Smoking? Oh, the shame! Social embarrassment may soon drive consumers to be more green. Read 6 Green Terms: Which Ones Can You Trust? Does “natural” mean organic? Should you buy anything labeled “non-toxic”? Here are the truth and eco-facts about many of the green terms you find on product labels. Read 5 Easy and Cheap Green Things to Do You shouldn’t need a heap of gold to be green. Here are five simple, cheap things you can do to make your home — and your life — a little greener. Read How to Be Energy Efficient at Home: It’s Not What You Do, But ... It’s not just which energy efficiency projects you implement at home that will make a dent in your bills — it’s how many. Read Saving Money Still Tr... 07/11/2012

Curb Appeal Investments in Somerset County, New Jersey Designing a Flower Garden? Don’t Make These 5 Rookie Mistakes Excited about designing your first flower garden? Calm down before you make these 5 rookie mistakes. Read Urban Gardening Ideas For Small Spaces Jonesing for a green retreat in a space that’s petite? Turn square footage into foliage with these urban gardening ideas. Read 8 Tips for Adding Curb Appeal and Value to Your Home Here are eight ways to help your home put its best face forward. Read Landscaping for Curb Appeal A well-landscaped yard creates curb appeal and helps your property retain maximum value. Here are a few tips and tricks for sprucing up your outdoor spaces yourself. Read Choosing an Exterior Door You should understand the pros and cons of steel, fiberglass... 07/11/2012

Are You Interested In Learning to Fly A Plane as a Twelve Year Old in Somerset County, NJ?   The Civil Air Patrol (CAP) May be Your Ticket to Achieving Your Dreams! It’s easy to join as a cadet and the available benefits can be enormous.  The Civil Air Patrol, a volunteer auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, helps develop tomorrow's aerospace workforce like the way that Boy Scouts earn their badges to become Eagle Scouts.  For more general information about joining you can visit: http://www.gocivilairpatrol.com/index.cfm.   Whatever your interests-survival training, flight training, photography, astronomy-there's a place for you in CAP's cadet program. Each year, cadets have the opportunity to participate in special activities at the local, state, regional or national level. Many cadets wil... 07/11/2012

Be a Savvy Buyer in Somerset County, New Jersey Negotiate Your Best House Buy Keep your emotions in check and your eyes on the goal, and you’ll pay less when purchasing a home. Read Keep Your Home Purchase on Track You’ve found your dream home. Make sure missteps don’t prevent a successful closing. Read 4 Tips to Determine How Much Mortgage You Can Afford By knowing how much mortgage you can handle, you can ensure that home ownership will fit in your budget. Read 7 Steps to a Stress-free Home Closing By doing homework in advance, you’ll understand what you’re asked to sign when you close the sale of your home. Read Find the Home Loan that Fits Your Needs Understand which mortgage loan is best for you so your budget is not stretched too thin. Read Visit houselogic.com for more articles l... 07/06/2012

Hillsborough, NJ Open Houses for Sunday July 8th 2012 Please find below a list of open houses in Hillsborough, NJ for Sunday July 8th 2012. These are public Hillsborough open houses. Open houses are a great way to start looking at the homes available in this area. These Hillsborough Homes for Sale are listed for by property type (Houses, Condos, Adult Community), number of bedrooms and asking price.   Address List Price Style Rooms Beds Baths Garage Basement Days On Market 2805 Kent Pl* $243,888 Multi Floor Unit, Townhouse-Interior 7 2 2.1 0 Yes 54 46-14 BLOOMINGDALE DR* $249,900 Contemporary, Townhouse-End Unit 6 2 2.1 1 Yes 21 216 Amwell Rd* $347,500 Expanded Ranch 10 3 1.1 0 Yes 101   To see if you qualify for any low down payment programs like the First Time Home Buyers Program, Sma... 07/06/2012

This is a Real Estate Market Recap of Hillsborough, NJ; July 2012:   Closed Sales 31 new happy homeowners in Hillsborough since June 1st 2012: 24 home sales and 7 townhouse/duplex sales.   98 homes are under contract in Hillsborough: 66 single family homes and 32 townhouse/duplexes.   There were 106 new listings here in town since May 1st 2012 (62 homes and 44 townhouses). There were 56 new listings since June 1st 2012 (32 homes and 24 townhouses). All of this information is important to include in the Real Estate Market Recap of Hillsborough. I feel that the recent lower home prices and the lower mortgage interest rates can make it a great time to buy a house.   If you would like details of the houses that sold or are still on the market in Hillsborough please call (908) 574-9483 or em... 07/05/2012

Hillsborough, NJ Open Houses for Sunday July 1st 2012 Please find below a list of open houses in Hillsborough, NJ for Sunday July 1st 2012. These are public Hillsborough open houses. Open houses are a great way to start looking at the homes available in this area. These Hillsborough Homes for Sale are listed for by property type (Houses, Condos, Adult Community), number of bedrooms and asking price. Address List Price Style Rooms Beds Baths Garage Basement Days On Market 36 Dorchester Ct*  $219,000 Townhouse-Interior  7  2  2.1  0  Yes  27  605 Cornwall Ct*  $232,500 Townhouse-Interior  5  2  2.1  0  No  12  2805 Kent Pl*  $243,888 Multi Floor Unit, Townhouse-Interior  7  2  2.1  0  Yes  48  142 Merry Ln*  $259,900 Townhouse-End Unit  6  2  2  1  No  12  53 Walker Dr*  $579,900 Colonial... 06/29/2012

Ensure Your Vacation Home is Relaxing For Your 2012 Summer Ants, Wasps, & Mosquitoes: Do-No-Harm Defense or All-Out War? This week we’ve been helping you make patios and decks more comfortable during hot and humid days. Today, we’re focusing on how to prevent ants (try Cream of Wheat), yellow jackets, and mosquitoes from ruining your outdoor fun this summer. Read Tax Deductions for Vacation Homes Tax deductions for vacation homes vary greatly depending on how much you use the home and whether you rent it out. Read Vacant Homes: 8 Ways to Make Sure They’re Maintained Living near a vacant home doesn’t have to mean putting up with overgrown grass and unshoveled snow. Does your community use these eight common local laws, programs, and regulations to force owners to maintain vacant homes? R... 06/28/2012

Upgrade Your Home's Exterior In Somerset County, New Jersey 6 Favorite Home Improvement Apps for the iPad, iPhone, iPod If you’ve jumped on the Apple “i” bandwagon, you’re never far from iPhone, iPod, and iPad apps that help maintain and improve your home — values near and dear to our hearts. Read 8 Tips for Adding Curb Appeal and Value to Your Home Here are eight ways to help your home put its best face forward. Read Exterior Paints and Stains: A Guide to the Options To choose the best exterior paint or stain for your job, match the coating to your house, your climate, and the look you want. Read Roofing: A Guide to the Options A roof replacement is one of the biggest financial commitments a homeowner will make, so here’s a guide to roofing materials that will help you spend your money... 06/28/2012

Great Projects for Weekend Warriors in Somerset County, New Jersey Digging Your Own French Drain: Save Money — and Your Back — With These Tips Do you need to wear waders to mow your grass? If seasonal flooding makes your property more lake than lawn, which isn’t doing your foundation any favors, you need some serious drainage. Good news: You can do it yourself — if you’re up for the digging. Read 5 Easy DIY Weekend Projects Under $300 Just another weekend? Not if you take advantage with one or more of these 5 great projects you can easily pull off for under $300. Read Cleaning Rain Gutters Clean gutters to protect your siding and landscape plantings, and prevent thousands of dollars of damage to your foundation. Read Smart Options: Patio Pavers A broad selection of patio pavers accompan... 06/28/2012