Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Upcoming events in Millburn-Short Hills, NJ

How has your spring in Millburn-Short Hills, NJ been so far?  Hopefully wonderful.  Before we know it, summer will be here!  As your Millburn-Short Hills real estate agent, I know that this is a fantastic time of year to be in the area.  The weather is becoming more and more pleasant, people are heading outdoors, and there are so many fun things to do.  That said, take a look at a few upcoming events in the Millburn-Short Hills, NJ area:

Bird Watching at the Garden

Even if you aren't an experienced "birder," you are welcome at this event.  Participants will walk around the the Greenwood Gardens identifying birds based on how they look and the sounds they make.  Bring binoculars if you have them.  The cost is $10 for members and $15 for non-members.  Visit the Greenwoods Gardens website for more information.

When:  Sunday, April 29th, 9 - 11 am
Where:  The Greenwood Gardens, 274 Old Short Hills Road, Short Hills, NJ

Annual Fishing Derby

This event is for the kiddies.  Millburn-resident children and teens age fifteen and under are invited to spend the morning fishing at Taylor Park.  Participation is free.

When:  Saturday, May 5th, 9 am - 12 noon (registration begins at 8 am)
Where:  Taylor Park, 78 Main Street, Millburn, NJ

Dog Adoption Event


Thinking of getting a dog?  Take adoption into consideration.  You could save one an animal's life by adopting.  This event is put on by the Home for Good Dog Rescue.  Dogs from local shelters and high-kill shelters will be at the event for people to view.  Those who have applied in advance may be able to adopt on the spot.  For more information, visit the Home for Good Dogs website.

When: Saturday, May 5th, and Sunday, May 6th, 11 am - 3 pm
Where: PetSmart, 187 Millburn Avenue, Millburn, NJ

If you attend any of these events, feel free to let me know!  I hope you're enjoying this season in Millburn-Short Hills, NJ, and I encourage you to contact me or pass along my contact information if you know of anyone looking to buy or sell a home in the area.

Elaine Pruzon
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage
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Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Closing on your Millburn-Short Hills home

You've done your research, you've saved up a chunk of money for a down payment, you've been approved for a mortgage, you've gone to what feels like a thousand open houses and you've finally found "the one"--the perfect home for you in Millburn-Short Hills, NJ.  Congratulations!  But guess what?  There's still more to do!

Ask a lot of questions

Remember in elementary school when the teacher would say "There is no such thing as a stupid question?"  It's true.  Everything should be perfectly clear in your mind.  If you are uncertain about anything related to how the process is working, do not feel embarrassed to ask someone.  Call your real estate agent or call your loan officer.  Make sure all details are perfectly clear in your mind so there are no surprises later.

Go on a very thorough walk-through

Many clients are so excited about their new house at this point that they rush the walk-through.  Big mistake!  You don't want to miss anything in the heat of the moment.  Feel free to bring your home inspector back for the walk-through.  If you do not bring an inspector, make sure you have the inspector's report from before and check everything carefully to make sure all repairs were made.  Turn lights and appliances on and off in each room to ensure that they are working.  If something is not in accordance with the agreement, say something immediately.  You will have to decide if it is minor enough that you'll fix it yourself, or if it necessitates working out new terms with the seller.

Review the loan documents in advance


Ask your lender or attorney if you may review the loan documents in advance.  This will help ensure that you understand everything happening and will not be caught off guard at the last minute.  Many people just sign documents on the spot without reading them thoroughly so they can get the keys.  That's a legal contract--you want to make sure you know exactly what it says before you put your name on it.

These are just a few tips for home buyers that I hope you found helpful.  I have more information for Millburn-Short Hills home buyers on my blog.  If you have any further questions about buying (or selling) in Millburn-Short Hills, NJ, please do not hesitate to contact me.  Happy buying!

Elaine Pruzon
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage
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Wednesday, April 11, 2012

April fun in Millburn-Short Hills, NJ

I love being your Millburn-Short Hills real estate agent because it gives me a chance to keep up on all of the fun things going on in our area.  There are a lot of them!  Here is a sampling of April events coming up in the Millburn-Short Hills, NJ area:

The Arc of Essex County 5K run/2 mile walk

This annual run/walk will be a blast for participants and their friends and family alike.  Each participant receives a t-shirt.  There will be food and music on-site and an awards ceremony for the top three in each category after the event.  The event benefits The Arc, an organization that helps those with developmental disorders.  Visit The Arc's website for more information.

When:  Saturday, April 14th, 2012, 8:15 am sign-up, 10 am run
Where:  473 Wachtung Ave., Bloomfield, NJ

Swamptails

"Cocktails for lovers of the environment and NJ's great swamp."  This is a great way to gear up for Earth Day.  Eat appetizers and drink special "swamp cocktails" all in support of the Great Swamp Watershed Association.  Prizes will also be given out.  Click here to download the flyer.  It costs $20 at the door to get in.

When:  Wednesday, April 18th, 2012, 5:30 - 7:30 pm
Where:  67 Morris Street, Morristown, NJ


Bloomfest at Branch Brook Park


Enjoy this event in New Jersey's "pinkest" park.  This Japanese-themed event will feature dancing, drumming, Samurai swords, a tea ceremony, bonsai trees, calligraphy, and more.  Best of all?  It's free!  Click here to download the flyer with a complete schedule.

When:  Sunday, April 22nd, 2012, 11 am - 5 pm
Where: Branch Brook Park, 115 Clifton Avenue, Newark, NJ

I hope you found this useful and I'd love for you to leave a comment or contact me with feedback.  Of course I'm always available if you're looking to buy a Millburn-Short Hills home as well.  Have a great week!

Elaine Pruzon
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage
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Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Tips for buying your Millburn-Short Hills home

I enjoy being your Millburn-Short Hills, NJ Realtor and helping your home-buying process go as smoothly as possible.  That's why I'm sharing these home buying tips today.  There is a lot to know when buying a home, and it can be intimidating if it's your first time.  I've helped many people buy Millburn-Short Hills real estate, and hopefully I can help you too!

As the real estate market and economy improve, more and more people across the United States are looking to buy homes.  Recent reports have indicated that it is a great time to buy, for many reasons.  Mortgage rates are at all all-time low.  Housing prices are on the rise, making real estate a good investment.  Buying is actually cheaper than renting, in many cases.  This means there are many more first-time home buyers in the market than there have been in recent years.  There are a few tips that can help ensure buyers are aware and prepared for everything involved in home-buying.


Really do your research on the area
Sometimes first-time buyers get so caught up in the amenities of the house itself, or looking for a good deal, that they don't stop and ask serious questions about the location.  What will your (and your spouse's) commute time be?  If you have (or are planning to have) children, is the school district one you'll be happy with?  How close are the nearby schools--would your child have to take a bus, be dropped off, or walk?  How do property taxes here compare to other places you've looked?  Is the house near grocery stores, restaurants, shops, parks, gyms, the library, etc.?  Is this somewhere you can see yourself living five or more years from now?


Outline all of your costs
A mistake many first-time home buyers make is not knowing the full cost of buying a home.  It will be more than the settled-upon purchase price of the house.  Within the paperwork should be a "Buyer Cost Sheet," which should be looked at closely and taken into consideration of the buyer's budget.  This sheet will be given to you by your lender or possibly your realtor and should include everything you'll be paying for, such as inspection and appraisal fees, transfer fees, closing costs, and more.  Some of these fees could be paid by the seller, but that would depend on what happens during negotiations.

Get a disclosure statement
State laws vary, but in general, sellers are required to disclose information about the property to you.  Because houses are sold "as-is," you want all of the information you can get so as to avoid unexpected costs later.  Realtors have detailed disclosure forms with a variety of questions.  You'll want to know if the house you're consider floods during heavy rains, for example, or if the foundation has a crack that has been covered.

If you're serious about home buying, you'll want to do more research than this, but hopefully it provides a good start!  Please contact me about buying your first Millburn-Short Hills home so we can talk about specific details and what is best in your situation.

Elaine Pruzon
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage
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