The weather outside still feels a little frightful. So, it might feel premature to think about swimming. But the first day of spring falls on Monday, March 20th. So, it's not too early to remind you about the upcoming Westfield Memorial Pool season.Westfield Memorial Pool 2023 SeasonThe Westfield Memorial Pool and Aquatic Center features a 50-meter pool as well as an 8-lane competitive lap pool. Additionally, you will find a dive pool, two water slides, a kids' training pool (only two feet deep), and a zero-entry kids pool with an attached splash pad. The snack bar allows guests to keep up their energy for pool play. The grounds also offer a nice picnic area, playground, and grassy area.Swimming provides an excellent form of exercise. Not only does it tone and strengthen your muscles, b... 03/26/2023

Easter Sunday falls on April 9th this year. But the Easter Bunny's schedule gets pretty full around that time. Fortunately, he agreed with city officials to show up the weekend before to host the Scotch Plains Easter Egg Hunt.What: Scotch Plains Easter Egg Hunt 2023Where: Brookside Park (1225 Hetfield Ave)When: Saturday, April 1st, 2023, 10:15 amAdmission: FREEContact: Scotch Plains Dept of Parks & Recreation (908) 322-6700 x223Scotch Plains Easter Egg Hunt 2023No. This is not a joke. The Scotch Plains Easter Egg Hunt falls on April Fool's Day this year. This Easter egg hunt is made especially for the little ones to enjoy. In this case, "little ones" means kids ages eight and under. Dress up in your Easter finest and head out to Brookside Park. (Don't forget to bring a basket.) Festivit... 03/19/2023

Easter falls on Sunday, April 9th, this year. What is your favorite Easter candy? Jelly beans? Cadbury cream eggs? Reeses peanut butter eggs? (The Reeses peanut butter egg came in as America's favorite Easter candy, by the way.) How about marshmallow Peeps? Well, Peeps seem to polarize the Easter candy people. Some love them. Others hate them with a passion. But at the Downtown Cranford Peeps-Tacular 2023, it doesn't matter because whether you like them or not. Why? Because you don't actually have to eat them. Instead, they get turned into fun works of art in celebration of the Easter holiday.What: Downtown Cranford Peeps-Tacular 2023Where: Downtown CranfordWhen: April 1st to April 9thContact: DMC via email or phone at (908) 709-7208Downtown Cranford Peeps-Tacular 2023If you are interes... 03/03/2023

You probably have heard that real estate is all about location, location, location. But, honestly, sometimes it really depends on your timing, timing, timing. So, when selling your home, what is the best time to list it on the market and when should you think about waiting?Selling Your HomeBest Time to Sell Your HomeWhile home sales declined throughout the state last month, the Westfield area (including Plainfield, Scotch Plains, and Cranford) still favors the seller. We live in a highly desirable area. Buyer demand remains relatively high compared to other areas of the state. However, many cities and towns in the Westfield area are seeing a shift to a more balanced market. That means a healthy buyer demand as well as good inventory levels.Also, springtime tends to be a busy time for re... 02/24/2023

Moving into a new Westfield area home is an exciting time. You’re probably daydreaming about decor, paint schemes, and new furniture. But before you get into the fun stuff, there are some basic priority tasks for your move-in that you should cover first.Priority Tasks for Your Move-InChange the LocksEven if you’re promised that new locks have been installed in your Westfield area home, you can never be too careful. It’s worth the money to have the peace of mind that comes with knowing that no one else has the keys to your property. Changing the locks can be a DIY project or, for a little extra money, you can call in a locksmith to do the job for you.Steam Clean the CarpetsIt’s good to get a fresh start with your floors before you start decorating. The previous owners may have had pets, ... 02/17/2023

Mountainside NJ. (Union County) Luxury New Home Custom Built on a 2.7-acre cul-de-sac lot by Rica Builders. http://bit.ly/3RJ6HWE Call Don Rica at 908-797-1764 #NJLuxuryNewHomes.        02/10/2023

We are very proud of our lovely downtown area here in Cranford. To encourage citizens and visitors to support our local businesses, officials enjoy putting on fun events. In October, there was the Scarecrow Stroll. Next week, they host a Galentine's Chocolate Walk. As a Valentine's nod to the cute woodland creatures, they are currently hosting their Cranford Gnome-Hunt Contest 2023.What: Cranford Gnome-Hunt Contest 2023Where: Throughout Downtown CranfordWhen: Now through February 14thContact: Downtown Cranford (908) 709-7208 or via emailCranford Gnome-Hunt Contest 2023Downtown Cranford partnered up with the Green Thumb Garden Club to create this fun Valentine's Day event. But you don't have to wait until Valentine's Day to participate. This gnome-hunt can happen any time you visit the d... 02/10/2023

November brings single friends together for a Friendsgiving feast. Why not grab your single gal pals for an alternative to the lovey-dovey Valentine's Day festivities? That's what the Cranford Galentine's Chocolate Walk 2023 is for.What: Cranford Galentine's Chocolate Walk 2023Where: Downtown CranfordWhen: Thursday, February 9th, 4 pm to 7 pmCost: $20 per personCranford Galentine's Chocolate Walk 2023Chocolate. Shopping. Bargains. What more could you ask for? For the first time, Downtown Cranford offers up a special Galentine's Chocolate Walk. Several downtown area boutiques offer discounts specifically for guests of the walk. Your $20 fee includes a shopping tote, a candy box, and a passport filled with discounts galore for participating local shops. First, talk to your girlfriends abo... 02/03/2023

Over the past couple of years, mortgage rates hit their all-time lowest point. At that time, financial experts encouraged buyers to get a fixed-rate mortgage loan to purchase their properties. However, with interest rates on the rise these last few months, many buyers began looking at adjustable-rate loans instead. Which one should you consider for your next mortgage loan? It depends.Fixed-Rate Mortgage vs Adjustable-Rate MortgageFixed-Rate MortgageA fixed-rate mortgage is exactly what it says: one set rate for the life of the loan. Even so, your monthly payment could change depending on current property taxes and insurance rates. But the actual monthly mortgage payment remains the same the entire time. However, lenders charge more interest for fixed-rate loans than they do for adjustab... 01/20/2023

I hope everyone had a fantastic Christmas. With the new year upon us, you may want to start planning for your 2023 taxes. I know. Not the most fun topic. But Uncle Sam rests for no one. If you have questions about your property taxes, please sign up for the 2023 Property Tax Appeal Seminar hosted by Coldwell Banker Realty.What: 2023 Property Tax Appeal SeminarWhere: Coldwell Banker Realty (209 Central Ave)When: 7:30 pm on Thursday, February 9th, 2023Admission: FREEContact: Scott Gleason (908) 698-26302023 Property Tax Appeal SeminarHave you been in your Westfield area home for a while? Have you seen your property taxes skyrocket over the past couple of years? Moving soon? Then your property taxes may hit you even harder. The lower the property taxes, the more that buyers can afford in m... 01/06/2023

2022 was quite a wild ride for mortgage rates. We started off the year at an average of 3.22% for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage. By the end of October, rates peaked at 7.08%. After dipping slightly for a couple of weeks, they hit 7.08% again in early November. But since then, rates began to decline. As of the writing of this post, Freddie Mac puts the average at 6.27%. The higher your interest rate, the higher your mortgage payment. What should you do to get the best mortgage rate for your next home purchase? Follow these simple steps.How to Get The Best Mortgage RateWhip That Credit Into ShapeHigher credit scores translate into lower interest rates. Start by visiting AnnualCreditReport.com for a free copy of your credit report. Look for any errors. Each reporting agency (Equifax, Trans... 12/30/2022

Most of the headlines lately talk about how the market has turned in the buyer's favor. Well, that may be true in other areas of the country but not in the Westfield real estate market. Sellers still have the upper hand here. In fact, a five-bed/one-and-a-half bath Westfield property just sold recently for $36,000 over asking after just 20 days on the market. So, if you plan on buying a home in the Westfield area, you need to get your financing in order first. Should you get a pre-approval letter or will a pre-qualification work? What's the difference?What's the Difference Between Pre-Qualification and Pre-Approval?Pre-QualificationFirst of all, pre-qualification only takes a matter of minutes. Your lender asks you about your income, your debt, and if you have any assets. Then, they tak... 12/23/2022

Union County NJ Real Estate Group. Join Us. https://bit.ly/3se3HnYUnion County NJ Listings. (Updated Daily) https://bit.ly/3tqm5fwMore Union County NJ Listings. (By Town) (Updated Daily) https://bit.ly/3TZKRy5100s Union County NJ Homes/ Commercial for Rent. https://bit.ly/3E6eXd1(86) Weichert Offices in New Jersey. Listings, Open Houses, Rentals https://bit.ly/3Lt42fCMore Open Houses, Coming Soon, Rentals & New Listings(1) http://bit.ly/3JOjWmU (2) https://bit.ly/3vpj8LA #NJEstatesRealEstateGroup  The data relating to real estate for sale on this website comes in part from the IDX Program of Garden State Multiple Listing Service, L.L.C. and Weichert, Realtors® - Warren. Real estate listings held by other brokerage firms are marked as IDX listings. Information deemed reliable but not gua... 12/17/2022

Brrr. The weather outside is frightful. But the holidays are so delightful. If you want to celebrate the season with the family, make Westfield Winter Wonderland 2022 your destination of choice.What: Westfield Winter Wonderland 2022Where: Foundation ParkWhen: December 18th, 12 pm to 4 pmWestfield Winter Wonderland 2022City officials transform Foundation Park into a Westfield Winter Wonderland on Sunday, December 18th. Let the kids warm up and get that excited energy out at Bouncy House Park. Watch magician Peter Juris perform two separate shows inside Acting Out Studios. And take a photo with Santa at Just a Soul Photography. Lots of fun for the entire family!Menorah LightingThe first day of Hanukkah also falls on December 18th this year. To celebrate, Rabbi Block officially lights the ... 12/16/2022

When purchasing a new luxury NJ home, it is important to do in-depth research on all facets of the home buying process. One thing you’ll need to understand is how to best protect yourself and your investment if anything were to go wrong. Check out the information on homeowners insurance versus home warranty below to educate yourself on your options.Homeowners Insurance vs Home WarrantyHomeowners InsuranceHomeowners insurance pays for any accidental damages and loss that are caused by fire, lightning strikes, windstorms, and hail. However, damage from earthquakes and floods is typically not covered. It also covers the replacement of personal property in case of theft or damage and liability if a person were to get injured in your home or on your property. According to V Home Insurance, t... 12/09/2022

Now that Thanksgiving is over, it is time to focus on the next big holiday: Christmas! But we cannot forget about Hanukkah (which begins on December 18th) or Kwanzaa (which runs from December 26th to January 1st). A couple of Westfield area tree lighting ceremonies take place over the next week to celebrate all of these holidays.Westfield Area Tree Lighting Ceremonies 2022 Westfield Tree LightingCome to the North Ave Train Station tonight (November 26th) for fun and festivities. Beginning at 5 pm, nosh on cookies while listening to the DJ play classic holiday music. Our local fire department escorts Santa on one of their trucks at 5:30 pm. Once on stage, he promises to take pictures with the kids until 6 pm. At that time, the tree officially lights up.However, before the Westfield tree ... 12/02/2022

First, sit down for a huge Thanksgiving dinner with your loved ones. Then, tackle those Black Friday sales. But on Saturday, make plans to visit the Westfield Area Y Men's Club Christmas Tree Lot to get started on your Christmas decorations.What: Westfield Area Y Men's Club Christmas Tree Lot 2022Where: Field Across from Stop & Shop on Elm StWhen: 9 am to 6 pm Sat & Sun, 5 pm to 9 pm Mon through Fri starting November 26th (while supplies last)Westfield Area Y Men's Club Christmas Tree Lot 2022For more than 70 years now, the Westfield Area Y Men's Club has hosted a Christmas Tree Lot for the community. And I am proud to say that I have been personally involved for many, many years now. In fact, the Christmas Tree Lot is our biggest fundraiser for the year. Every single penny raised from ... 11/25/2022

For most people, Thanksgiving means sitting down with your loved ones over a wonderful meal and sharing the blessings they received throughout the year. Unfortunately, not everyone feels the same way. Statistics show that one in five adults suffers from a mental illness. So, chances are good that you know of someone with a mental illness. The National Alliance on Mental Illness stated that 64% of people with mental health issues report that the stress of the holidays made them feel even worse. Instead of hiding these afflictions in the dark, we need to bring them out into the open. Westfield United by Light wants to provide a safe space for people to discuss their issues.Westfield United by Light 2022On Sunday, November 27th, the Westfield United Fund invites the public to join their Un... 11/18/2022

Hunting for a new luxury NJ home online is a great place to start your search. In fact, a National Association of REALTORS® study found that 90% of home buyers use the internet to look for homes at some point during their home search. However, this should not be your "end all be all" to house hunting. Good listing agents are excellent at highlighting the best features of a home. But keep in mind that there may be more to it than meets the eye. To make the most of your time and efforts and gather a well-rounded picture when house-hunting online, keep the following three things in mind.Top Tips for House Hunting OnlineStay Up to DateWhen you start your search, make sure you find a site that pulls up-to-date listings directly from the multiple listing service (MLS) where real estate agents... 11/11/2022

Westfield continues celebrating native son Charles Addams and his spooky creation The Addams Family with AddamsFest throughout the month of October. Neighboring towns celebrate the season with their own festivities as well. So, if you want even more Halloween-themed fun, come see the fun designs created downtown at the Cranford Scarecrow Stroll.Cranford Scarecrow Stroll 2022From now through Halloween, the streets of downtown Cranford display dozens of cute, silly, and scary scarecrows. When you go see the scarecrows, stop inside any of the businesses located around downtown and ask for a ballot. Then, make a note of your favorites while you walk around. Submit your vote by the end of the night on Halloween. The creators of the scarecrows with the most votes in each of the five different... 10/28/2022