You may have seen the headlines last week about the Federal Reserve continuing its policy of keeping interest rates low to stimulate the economy. But you might have missed a major byproduct of that move that's certain to have a direct impact on home real estate: Thirty-year fixed mortgage rates slipped below the five percent mark for the first time in nearly half a year, dipping to 4.9 percent. New Jersey Estates/Real Estate Group Paul Stillwaggon September 2009 LINKING THE LATEST TECHNOLOGYTO OLD FASHIONED SERVICE Copyright © 2009 Realty TimesAll Rights Reserved. Fifteen year fixed rates are just 4.4 percent. Now, there's nothing more stimulating for home buyers than mortgage money at rates that are about as low as they go. And sure enough, applications for new mortgages jumped by near... 09/29/2009

Luxury is relative, not absolute, so your point of view on the subject really matters. In the midst of these stressful times, the need to rejuvenate and refresh your thinking has never been greater. This "mental space" is not a luxury, but a necessity. New Jersey Estates/Real Estate Group Paul Stillwaggon September 2009 LINKING THE LATEST TECHNOLOGYTO OLD FASHIONED SERVICE Copyright © 2009 Realty TimesAll Rights Reserved When and where do you give yourself time to listen to nothing and to think about what drifts into your over-stimulated mind? Luxury, and its adjective form luxurious, are overused, often poorly-applied words in marketing. The concept at the root of them is something that few people really stop and think about. Do you know what luxury really means to you? Rarity, cost, q... 09/21/2009

The current economic climate has dramatically changed the real estate landscape. Locally, in the Portland/Vancouver metro area in the 12 months ending May 31, 2008, only 2% of the homes sold were Bank Owned or Short Sale properties. In the 12 months ending May 31, 2009, it was 11%. Today, 16% of the properties on the market for sale fall into these categories. In some markets around the country these statistics and trends are even more staggering.  New Jersey Estates/Weichert Realtors Paul Stillwaggon & Pat Cornish August 2009 LINKING THE LATEST TECHNOLOGYTO OLD FASHIONED SERVICE Copyright © 2009 Realty TimesAll Rights Reserved With this market shift comes new challenges for buyers, sellers, brokers and lenders. There also seems to be a lot of confusion when it comes to the differences ... 08/06/2009

Internal Revenue Code changes have averaged one--per--day over the past eight years ---- with 500 revisions in 2008 alone. Who's counting? New Jersey Estates/Weichert Realtors Paul Stillwaggon & Pat Cornish July 2009 LINKING THE LATEST TECHNOLOGYTO OLD FASHIONED SERVICE Copyright © 2009 Realty TimesAll Rights Reserved. Nina Olson, the National Taxpayer Advocate, announced the statistics in her annual report to Congress. An independent organization within the IRS, the Taxpayer Advocate Service helps taxpayers resolve complaints with the agency when problems cannot be resolved through normal channels. Will Advocate Olson's reports convince our lawmakers to draw back from their drawing board? Not during these troubled times. Expect them to enact even more alterations to an already confusin... 07/15/2009

     Union County, New JerseyFrom the 15th to 17th Centuries, the Dutch and English were drawn to this area -- then occupied by the Lenni Lenapi Indians (or Delaware tribe, as the Europeans called them) -- because of its incredibly easy access by sea. They developed the first colonial settlements in the area because of its natural beauty, vast abundance of fertile fields and natural resources, and offer of personal freedom. The development of the area was greatly helped by the criss-cross network of Indian trails, which became colonial roads and, centuries later, major highways.In the historic Elizabethtown Purchase of 1664 -- the Lenni Lanapi gave a group of English settlers title to an immense tract of land that extended from the Raritan to the Passaic Rivers, and westward for over th... 06/30/2009

Average list price of the 163 homes currently on the market in Summit, NJ is $1,187,509 (6% below 2008). 38 homes have gone Under Contract in the past 30 days...thus putting the Summit housing market about 19% behind 2008 in number of home sales pending. 8   Under $500,0002   $501,000-$600,0006   $601,000-$700,0004   $701,000-$800,0003   $801,000-$900,0003   $901,000-$999,9995   $1,000,000-$1,500,0003   $1,500,001-$1,999,9994   $2,000,000+   Why buy a home in Summit, NJ? NJ Magazine ranks Summit High School #20 in the state, the Midtown Direct Train Express puts you at Penn Station in twenty minutes and the vibrant downtown has shops/restaurants for your every need. Contact Perri K. Feldman to learn more about living in Summit, NJ 973.650.4727 or Perri@MidtownDirectHomes.com. 06/20/2009

Here we were --                                 and here's where we ended up --                         Don't professional photos make a difference?   Thanks, all, who contributed to the previous discussion.  Showings have been brisk, with lots of great feedback.  Unfortunately, the home is in a cluster of lovely homes in this price point, and while it competes favorably, it's not the leader of the pack yet.  We need one or two others to sell first.   ===============================================================   Juliet Johnson Staging serves the luxury real estate market of suburban New Jersey with home staging and online web 2-0 marketing techniques, home staging     04/28/2009

Here is a great explaination of Tax credits currently available for first-time homebuyers.  CNNMONEY.COM explains the differences between the Economic Recovery Act of 2008 and the recently signed stimulus package of 2009. The Economic Recovery Act of 2008 gives a tax credit of $7500.00 for first-time homebuyers that purchased after April 1, 2008 and before January 1, 2009.  Walter Updegrave of CNNMONEY describes it as an interest free government loan that can  be paid back over time.  The current stimulus package of 2008 allows for an $8,000.00 tax credit for first-time homebuyers that purchase between January 1, 2009  and November 30 of 2009.  You can claim it on your 2008 tax return and it does not have to be repaid as long as you stay in your home for at least 36 months. For more inf... 03/25/2009

 1.19 acre lot with available plans for 7,300 Sq ft home. Ready to fulfill your dreams. Build an estate styled home on over an acre of land in the sought after town of Summit. The residence will sit far from the road and lends itself to an imaginative buyer wanting a residence that stands out among the rest.  This home site already has its engineering, approvals and permit for a residence that will blend with the understated, traditional style that fits perfectly in the town.The distinctive atmosphere in Summit not only brings to mind a quaint shopping area with unique shops for those that enjoy walking it is just minutes from the train station bringing you to the Summit train service which has the most express lines to Manhattan in the shortest time. $900,000.   Call Paul at 908-561-54... 03/25/2009

Prepare Yourself Financially Frequently, we hear of good intentioned buyers who learn they have a low credit score only after getting a mortgage pre-approval.  Once you begin your home search, whether this is your first or move-up home, run your credit.  This can be done online for free or you can go to any of the three nationwide consumer reporting agencies, Equifax, Experian and TransUnion, who will provide you with a report once a year at no cost.  The reason for this is to verify that there is no erroneous or incorrectly reported information.  By doing this early on, one has time to remediate the finding before applying for a mortgage or homeowners' insurance. Put your credit cards away and do not buy any big ticket items with a revolving payment (automobile).  Check out www.credit.... 02/03/2009

Prepare Yourself Financially Frequently, we hear of good intentioned buyers who learn they have a low credit score only after getting a mortgage pre-approval.  Once you begin your home search, whether this is your first or move-up home, run your credit.  This can be done online for free or you can go to any of the three nationwide consumer reporting agencies, Equifax, Experian and TransUnion, who will provide you with a report once a year at no cost.  The reason for this is to verify that there is no erroneous or incorrectly reported information.  By doing this early on, one has time to remediate the finding before applying for a mortgage or homeowners' insurance. Put your credit cards away and do not buy any big ticket items with a revolving payment (automobile).  Check out www.credit.... 01/18/2009

Be the first to discover a home site that is in a premier location, nestled on a gentle slope, located in the sought after town of Summit. Watching your home being constructed on over an acre of land is a sight to behold. Imagine a colonial with a wide front porch, interesting roof lines and eyebrow windows that emulate the towns 'old world' reputation as they travel the town. This estate styled home will soon be the envy of the neighborhood. Over 7000 Square Feet of carefully thought out design constructed with quality materials and a master builder.With nature as your backdrop, you?ll be looking out the windows to mature trees in a natural setting. Enjoy a walk to down town Summit and enjoy the quaint shops or jump on the train with its unlimited express lines to New York. Front Clos... 01/17/2009

Buying a home has always been a tremendous personal and financial endeavor.  Now more than ever, one must understand the "rules" and dynamics of a new market place!  To follow is my insider perspective of how to buy a home in our current real estate market. Part One Today it is critical that you physically see what is out there on the market.  Looking at listings on the Web is fine but not a good way to establish a foundation or baseline education. With that being said, hire a hard-working, full-time broker to show you as many properties as you can stomach.  Yes, this takes time away from other things you would prefer doing, not to mention patience. Look at properties above your range, track their activity on the Web and ask your broker for current market statistics: what is selling or ... 12/15/2008

Be the first to discover a home site that is in a premier location, nestled on a gentle slope, located in the sought after community of Summit. Watching your home being constructed on over an acre of land is a sight to behold. Imagine a colonel with a wide front porch, interesting roof lines and eyebrow windows that emulate the towns "old world" reputation as they travel the town. This estate styled home will soon be the envy of the neighborhood. Over 7000 Square Feet of carefully thought out design constructed with quality materials and a master builder. With nature as your backdrop, you'll be looking out the windows to mature trees in a natural setting. Enjoy a walk to down town Summit and enjoy the quaint shops or jump on the train with its unlimited express lines to New York. LUXURY... 10/26/2008

"My Home Won't Sell Because the Economy is Bad Right Now!!!" Anyone in the real estate market who has recently spoken with a seller has probably heard those words. Some Realtors may even agree with their seller because more then likely the agent doesn't know any better. I am not one of those Realtors. In fact, when I hear, "the sky is falling", I cannot help but laugh.  Now before you write me off as an unsympathetic Realtor who will always praise the market, take a step back and listen to reality. I work in the Summit, NJ market. Summit, like the rest of the country, has been going through a period of depreciation. Why this is so shocking to people still puzzles me because real estate is cyclical. It goes up, it comes down, and one day it will rise again. To expect anything different i... 10/22/2008

Untitled Document Gain Access Immediately to Updates Just By Clicking This Button Properties are Updated as of Your CLICK! FEATURED PROPERTIES Exclusive Updated Access to Foreclosure Properties provided through a special partnership! Contact Information James Rembish,SRES,Realtor Direct: 908-462-4802 Office: 908-522-9444 x119 Links MY WEBSITE New Jersey Monthly magazine ranked Summit as its 29th best place to live in its 2008 rankings of the "Best Places To Live" in New Jersey.[8]. Summit is also the 16th wealthiest community in the state of New Jersey. 10/01/2008

Untitled Document Gain Access Immediately to Updates Just By Clicking This Button Properties are Updated as of Your CLICK! FEATURED PROPERTIES Exclusive Updated Access to Foreclosure Properties provided through a special partnership! Contact Information James Rembish,SRES,Realtor Direct: 908-462-4802 Office: 908-522-9444 x119 Links MY WEBSITE The region in which Summit is located was purchased from Native Americans on October 28, 1664. Summit's earliest European settlers came to the area around the year 1710.[11] The original name of Summit was "Pie Hill" to distinguish it from the area then known as "The land of the rising sun" (New Providence's original name until 1759). During the American Revolutionary War period, Summit was known as "Beacon Hill", because bonfire beacons were lit ... 10/01/2008

Summit NJ Sold Homes - March 2008 Summit, NJ's real estate market offers a wide variety of homes for every price range. Where else can a first time buyer be able to afford buying into a town filled with multi-million dollar homes of distinction? It is this variety that allowed Summit, NJ to become the diverse community so many buyers find desirable. It also remains a place filled with long time residents proud of the town they helped shape. This ideal New York City commuter community truly offers an environment fit for all. The perfect expression of Summit's ability to capture individuals of all walks of life is seen through a given month's real estate statistics. Every price range is accounted for and sells like a well oiled machine. I hope you find these sold property statistics to be... 09/09/2008

Summit NJ Sold Homes - February 2008 You will notice that Summit, NJ's real estate market offers a wide variety of homes for every price range. Where else can a first time buyer be able to afford buying into a town filled with multi-million dollar homes of distinction? It is this variety that allowed Summit, NJ to become the diverse community so many buyers find desirable. It also remains a place filled with long time residents proud of the town they helped shape. This ideal New York City commuter community truly offers an environment fit for all. The perfect expression of Summit's ability to capture individuals of all walks of life is seen through a given month's real estate statistics. Every price range is accounted for and sells like a well oiled machine. I hope you find these sold p... 09/09/2008

  Interest Rate Drop, signals time to buy Summit NJ Real Estate With the real estate markets in most of New Jersey stabilized and some real estate markets already moving higher, the new lower interest rates brought about by the feds takeover of freddy and fanny are a good signal to buy while the buying is good. Some of the real estate markets such as the Summit NJ Real Estate market really did not turn down much.  For example for the entire year of 2007 the average selling price of a home in Summit New Jersey was actually 2% higher than in 2006.  Now Summit is poised to move up faster than the average town in New Jersey, why?  the locals know. Interested in finding out more about the Summit NJ real estate market as well as all the surrounding markets visit jboyerhomes.com where you can ... 09/08/2008