1. Short sale dept receives completed package with photos 2. Short sale dept orders Authorization to release information and title work, takes 3 to 5 days. 3. Receive a reasonable offer from a prospective buyer 4. submit package to bank, 3- 5 days. 5.Wait for a BPO appointment from the Bank, 2 weeks to 2 months. 6. After receiving BPO, negotiations with the bank 2 weeks to 2 months (depending on the bank.) 7. Closing   ****This is just a basic Guideline for the Process of the short sale. Every situation is different and all time frames are subject to cooperation of all parties involved. Please do not consider this a quick easy way to get a deal. Unless you have lots of time & Cash you may find this transaction nerve racking. Consult a professional before attempting to get involved in t... 11/12/2008

Within the last 2 weeks, I have been questioned by a couple of our better Listing Agents as to why our company does not list RENTALS. Apparently, there are a significant number of unsuccessful sellers in the Toms River, NJ, market that would like the "option" to rent their home if they cannot sell it at their price.So, let's look at this conundrum from the three significant perspectives; first, the Agent's Perspective: It's a tough market out here. We have 14 months of inventory here in Toms River and none of my listings are selling, so why can't I make a few bucks renting it for them? Yes, it is a tough market and discretionary sellers who are still in denial over the market value of their home are only making it tougher! The potential return on investment for "spot rentals" is NOT wor... 11/12/2008

Preparing Shrubs For Winter   Because of the brutal and drying nature of winter's crisp winds, plants can lose moisture faster that the root system can replace it. Winter's forces can injure plants in other ways as well. Therefore, it's a good idea to help your plants protect themselves from winter's harsh elements so they can emerge from the winter ready to grow and prosper in the spring. Mulching deeply is the first and most important step in making sure plants get enough moisture during the winter months. About three to four inches is recommended. Some plants, depending on their variety and exposure to the elements, need to be shielded by installing a wind block, or by wrapping the plants in burlap. When in doubt, err on the side of caution. It's difficult to injure a plant by wrapp... 11/10/2008

Roasted Asparagus with Thyme & Cheese   One and one-half pounds thin asparagus spears One large garlic clove, halved 2 teaspoon Olive oil One-quarter teaspoon Salt One-quarter teaspoon Dried thyme One-quarter teaspoon Freshly ground pepper One-half cup shredded cheese (mozzarella, parmesan , etc.) Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Snap off tough ends of asparagus and peel is necessary. Rub cut sides of garlic over a 13 x 9 inch baking dish and place garlic in dish. Add asparagus, drizzle with oil. Sprinkle asparagus with salt, thyme, and pepper. Toss gently. Sprinkle with cheese. Bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes, stirring once. 4 servings.   11/10/2008

Try a teaspoon of peanut butter on a slice of peperoni. I know it sounds funny but try it and tell me it is a pretty good snack. 11/10/2008

Surprisingly we have Conventional and FHA limits being announced with in a few days of each other. HUD announced in it's mortgagee letter 2008-36 the new FHA limits for 2009. 12 counties in NJ fall into the "High Cost" limit for FHA included would be Monmouth and Ocean counties. One-Unit:       $625,500 Two-Unit:        $800,775 Three-Unit:     $967,950 Four-Unit:       $1,202,925 If you notice, the High cost limits match the Fannie limits released on Friday. The question that is still left unanswered is: How will interest rates be determined for the higher limits? Currently Base high cost limit on an FHA loan is about $362,800. Above that number the rate is considerably higher, and the limit is $729,000.  We are anticipating that the pricing on FHA loans will not have the add-on to int... 11/10/2008

 Molds are living organisms that grow in damp places in your home. They stain or discolor surfaces and smell musty. There are hundreds of thousands of different types of mold. Mold can grow almost anywhere: on walls, ceilings, carpets or furniture. Humidity or wetness, caused by water leaks, spills from bathtubs or showers or condensation, can cause mold to grow in your home. Mold spores are tiny particles that float through the air. These can sometimes cause health problems. Mold does not affect everyone, and different people are affected differently when mold is breathed or inhaled. People with allergies to mold may get: watery eyes, runny or stuffed noses, itching, headaches and difficulty breathing. Mold can also trigger asthma attacks. Some molds produce tox... 11/08/2008

There was good news for Toms River residents at last week's council meeting: if the proposed 2009 fiscal year budget is adopted by the township council, the tax rate will be lowered. The Mayor of Toms River, Thomas F. Kelaher, announced that the new proposed budget was $91,891,221, down about $300,000 from last year. Previously, residents were charged 76.44 cents per $100 of assessed value. The new rate proposes 75.32 cents per $100 of assessed value, down 1.12 cents. 11/08/2008

Taking multiple overlapping photos in order to create a larger single panoramic photo is a great way to enhance the quality and impact of your Virtual Tour.  The objective of a Virtual Tour should be to show the viewer - as close as possible - what they would see if they were actually at the home. Single photos that show only a part of a room or scene (backyard) makes the room or scene seem smaller than it actually is. Being able to see the whole room or scene (wall to wall and floor to ceiling) is much more impressive to the viewer. The objective of creating a Virtual Tour is to impress the viewer so they will contact you for a showing. Taking overlapping photos for a panoramic is relatively simple but you have to do it correctly in order to create a good panoramic. Here are some simp... 11/07/2008

Below is the letter that was just released today from the FHFA for 2009's Conforming Loan limits. The good news is the base $417,000 number remains unchanged, even though the calculation in the past 2 years should have seen that number drop based on the median prices falling. In high Cost areas we will see an extended limit of $625,500. There were rumors last week that we would see the number drop, and a few weeks ago that it would go to $450k, but now we have the facts! No word on FHA limits yet, I will keep you posted when that is announced. Have a great weekend Rob Robert Rauf Real Estate Mortgage Network (732)223-1630 x102   For Immediate Release November 7, 2008 CONFORMING LOAN LIMIT FOR U.S. TO REMAIN $417,000 IN 2009; DIFFERENT LIMITS IN SOME AREAS WASHINGTON, DC - The Federal Ho... 11/07/2008

Market update, post election: what happened to interest rates? My buyers always ask me about rates and the market. The election news is a good thing if you are selling a home or if you are ready to buy, the following is my explanation of what makes me think that, along with a quick economic calendar update for you: Well, it started yesterday, Tuesday November 4th.  There was a big sigh of relief in the credit markets where we saw one of the biggest rallies we have seen in a long time, and the prices of mortgages were driven WAY up by the end of the day.  If you read any of my updates, by now you know that price up is a good thing!  It takes the price to go up for the yield to go down. That relief rally has carried into today with some more gains. On the Equity side of the equation we sa... 11/05/2008

   By now, your new flat-screen TV has probably become verry dirty. But don't be tempted to use the same methods you would to clean your tube TV. Flat-screen television sets require more specialized care. Here are a few tips to keep in mind if you want to take ggod care of your Flat screen TV:- Don't use strong chemical cleaners like alcohol, ammonia-based cleaners or window cleaners. They can damage the screen's special coating.- Don't spray a liquid cleaner on the screen, as it can leak into the TV casing and damage the circuitry.- Never use paper towels or newspapers to wipe of the screen either. These are products are actually made of wood and will scratch the screen. What you should do instead, is look for a solution that is specially labeled "safe for laptop screens" or "LCD and p... 11/05/2008

    2 teaspoons olive oil 3 garlic cloves, minced 3 cups fat-free, less sodium chicken broth Three-quarter teaspoon salt 3 (14.5 ounce) cans no-salt-added diced tomatoes, undrained 2 cups fresh basil leaves, thinly sliced Basil leaves (optional) Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add garlic; cook 30 seconds, stirring constantly. Stir in the broth, salt, and tomatoes; bring to a boil. Reduce heat, simmer 20 minutes. Stir in basil. Place half of the soup in a blender; process until smooth. Pour pureed soup into a bowl, and repeat procedure with remaining soup. Garnish with basil leaves, if desired. (4 servings) 11/03/2008

    • Examine the big picture - Recognize that people are not going to look at your house the same way you will. After you've lived with fading trim or a shutter that hangs crooked for a year or two, you may not even see it anymore. Ask your REALTOR® or close friend to look at the front of your house with a fresh set of eyes. Ask if they would be interested in the home if they didn't know you? If not, what are their turn-offs?   • Do the obvious - Keep the lawn mowed and gutters clear. Trim brushes, get rid of any dead branches and fix anything that's hanging or broken. Keep working outdoor lights on in the evening.   • Fit into the community - Keep your audience in mind as you show your house. For example, if there are many kids in the neighborhood, it is okay to have a bike in the yar... 10/27/2008

      There is a group of people called A.R.M.S., who volunteer at the Toms River National Guard Armory. They collect donated items and package them and ship them overseas to our troops. It costs $10 to ship just one package. They have been sending these packages since 2003 and right now, they need monetary and item donations. They are asking for your help by making a monetary donation and also items for the troops. Make checks payable to A.R.M.S. and send to Toms River National Guard Armory POC, c/o Maria Morro, 1200 Whitesville Rd., Toms River, NJ 08755. If you prefer, you can also drop off checks or items at the armory between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. For items needed, you can call Ronnie Micciulla at 732-890-4914 or Maria at 732-341-9102 extension 13. 10/25/2008

  Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s NASCAR's #88 will be appearing all day on October 31 in Toms River. "The famous #88 NASCAR, sponsored by The Army National Guard, will be positioned at the registration area for the Toms River Volunteer Fire Company No.1 Halloween Parade, located on Robbins Street, just off Washington Street," said Bernard Viggiani, community liaison for the New Jersey Army National Guard. "Anyone coming down to visit the firehouse or register for the parade can see the car and pose in front of it if they want to take pictures," he said. Carl Weingroff, chairman of the parade, is glad to see the NASCAR coming to the firehouse for parade day. "With so many New Jersey guardsmen deployed, including the entire Toms River Armory, we were worried we would not get... 10/25/2008

Each day, Ocean County provides more than 1,000 home delivered meals to its elderly residents through the Meals on Wheels Program. Come later this month, those meals will not only be nutritious but, through new packaging, will be more environmentally friendly. "Ocean County has a long and wellknown history of leading by example on many different issues. One of those issues is in demonstrating respect for the environment through land preservation and resource management (recycling)," said Jim Sigurdson, executive director of Community Services Inc. "Following the county's lead, Community Services Inc. has begun to explore ways to improve our resource management to create a more environmentally respectful program." Now served in aluminum pans, the agency that provides the county's home de... 10/25/2008

  Properties Recently Closed Addr: 355 CAHILL RD   MLS#: 20806342,S #1   TOMS RIVER   Cat: SingleFamily/Detached Muni: TOMS RIVER TWP   LP: $199,999 SP: $200,000 ApxSF: 0 LD: 02/13/2008 SD: 09/25/2008 $/SF: $0.00 Beds: 2 Bths: 1-1/0 Acre/LotDim.: /100X150 YearBlt:   Pkng: Driveway, On Street, Carport DOM: 162 CDOM: 162 Stories: 1 FP/#: N/0 Style: Ranch Elem: Mid:   Property Description:Adorable home with room to expand on large lot. Partial basement. Newer roof, kitchen and bath. This home also has an enclosed porch off the kitchen. Near the hospital, bus station, parkway on a quiet dead-end street.Agent Comments:  Addr: 415 EMMA DR   MLS#: 20820862,S #2   TOMS RIVER   Cat: SingleFamily/Detached Muni: TOMS RIVER TWP   LP: $265,000 SP: $228,000 ApxSF: 1,552 LD: 05/20/2008 SD: 08/06/2008 ... 10/25/2008

  MLS# Ar Sta StaDate Typ Address Style SqFt BR Bth YrBlt WF WV LPrice OrgPrice DOM/CDOM 20816154 TOM CLS 8/28/2008 DET 517 MARTIN RD Log 842 2 1/0 1948 N N $129,900 $179,900 73/73   SP: $130,000 SD: 08/28/2008 $/Sqft: $154 20815228 TOM CLS 8/27/2008 DET 1972 NEW ST Mediterr 630 1 1/0   N N $149,900 $162,000 134/134   SP: $139,000 SD: 08/27/2008 $/Sqft: $221 20816438 TOM CLS 7/30/2008 DET 1956 SOUTH ST Ranch 0 3 1/0 1951 N N $179,000 $179,000 15/15   SP: $155,000 SD: 07/30/2008 $/Sqft: $0 20814100 TOM CLS 7/9/2008 DET 515 GEORGE RD Cape 1,361 2 1/1 1950 N N $156,000 $156,000 74/74   SP: $161,000 SD: 07/09/2008 $/Sqft: $118 20810380 TOM CLS 8/1/2008 DET 42 CATTUS ST Ranch 0 2 1/0 1937 N N $185,000 $199,900 120/120   SP: $163,000 SD: 08/01/2008 $/Sqft: $0 20823641 TOM CLS 9/4/2008 DET 228... 10/25/2008

Over the past several weeks I've been hearing from customers, friends and family that it is not a good time to purchase real estate. When I ask the question, "Why not?", the answers I've been getting have one thing in common. They are either speculation or hearsay so I thought I'd provide you with some concrete evidence as to why it's actually A GREAT TIME TO BUY A HOME. * On average, the value of a home nearly doubles every 10 years * 60% of the average homeowners wealth comes from their home's equity * The average homeowners wealth is $171,000--the average renter has a net worth of $4800 *  In the last two major buyer's markets (early 80's and early 90's) interest rates were much higher. In the    early 90's rates were hovering between 11 and 12 percent. * Today's rates are much lower... 10/25/2008