Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Dogs in Summit, NJ

Not only is the Summit, NJ area family-friendly, it is also extremely canine-friendly! If you have a dog, you should be glad you are a Summit, NJ home owner. There are many doggie resources right here in town. Check them out!

Briant Park

Briant Park is a popular park for dog walking. Additionally, people come here to walk, jog, grill, have a picnic, or just relax. Briant Park is located at Springfield Avenue and Briant Parkway in Summit, NJ. There are grassy areas and a pond. Dogs have to remain on-leash in this park.

South Mountain Dog Park

South Mountain Dog Park is the nearest off-leash dog park and it is located in Maplewood, NJ. This dog park has designated areas for both large and small dogs, so each type may run around and play freely off-leash with other dogs around their size. There is doggie playground equipment and the dog areas do not get muddy so you don't have to worry about taking home a messy dog at the end of the day. There are also trails for on-leash dog walking.

Summit Dog & Cat Hospital

Summit Dog & Cat Hospital is located at 16 Morris Turnpike in Summit, NJ. This is a highly-rated pet hospital. They provide a variety of services ranging from diagnostic to surgery to dentristy and beyond. This is much more than just a veterinarian, however. You may also board your dog here while you go on vacation, or bring your dog here for bathing and grooming. For more information, click here.

The Grooming Room

If you would like to take your dog to a place that specializes in groom, The Grooming Room is available in nearby Millburn, NJ. The Grooming Room is located at 156 Spring Street. This groomers has been around since 1977 so you know you're in good hands. In addition to basic bathing and grooming, they also do hand scissoring for specific breeds in order to groom them according to AKC breed standards. For more information, click here.

Hopefully these resources help you and your dog better enjoy Summit, NJ! If you have any questions about the area or about buying or selling local real estate, please contact me!


Elaine Pruzon

Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage
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Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Questions to ask while buying Millburn-Short Hills real estate

Buying Millburn-Short Hills real estate is probably a big event in your life. If you are investing a larger sum of money compared to what you usually spend, you definitely want to make sure you ask the right questions so as to avoid problems later. Asking questions while buying Millburn-Short Hills real estate can also help ensure the entire buying process goes smoothly. Here are questions to ask the seller while you're shopping for Millburn-Short Hills real estate:

How old is the house? The roof? The electric? The plumbing?

Knowing the answer to these questions will help you estimate how soon you will need to invest in major repairs. This is important for budgeting and could also factor into the negotiation process.

What is the square footage of each room and the entire house?

Knowing numbers related to size will help you compare and contrast different houses you're interested in. Different layouts, paint colors, and furniture arrangements can make a room feel larger or smaller than it actually is in reality. Numbers, however, don't lie.

How much do utilities cost on average? In summer? In winter?

This will help you with budgeting. Heating costs, for example, can vary wildly even for similar-sized houses based on how well a house is insulated, what type of windows there are, and other factors. Ask up front so you aren't faced with a major surprise once winter rolls around.

Have you had any pest problems, or treated for pests?

This includes termites, mice, cockroaches, ants, and more. If you do buy the house, you want to know what pest prevention maintenance is necessary and what to keep an eye out for in order to avoid problems.

What problems have you had living here?

Of course you can't be certain that the seller is telling you the truth, but it is worth asking what problems they have had while living there. Perhaps the basement has flooded, or there is a nuisance neighbor on the block. There are many things you can find out from doing research. You can find out the crime rate of the area, local transportation information, school district information including test scores, and prices the house has been bought and sold for over the years. The things that aren't public record, however, you might still be able to find out if you just ask.

Hopefully these questions will help you become as informed as possible as you shop for Millburn-Short Hills real estate. If you have any questions about buying a home, or would like to enlist me as your professional, do not hesitate to contact me!

Elaine Pruzon
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage
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Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Upcoming events in Millburn-Short Hills, NJ

There are probably a variety of reasons you bought your Millburn-Short Hills, NJ home, but having a vibrant community is definitely one of the major benefits. Although summer is winding down, there are still plenty of things for Millburn-Short Hills, NJ home owners to do for family-friendly fun and entertainment. Here are some events coming up in August:

Free Oxygen Bar
"Waiting to2 Inhale" will be on site at Short Hills Mall on Saturday, August 18th, from 2 - 8 pm. They are an oxygen bar and aromatherapy company. The oxygen and aromatherapy can lead to increased feelings of energy and/or relaxation. Some people report getting better sleep after an oxygen bar experience. It is definitely a unique opportunity, and open to people of all ages.

Morristown Jazz & Blues Festival
Nearby Morristown, NJ will host a Jazz & Blues Festival on Saturday, August 18th from noon - 10 pm. Stop by after your oxygen bar experience! The line-up is stellar, and includes Robben Ford, Rob Paparozzi and the Hudson River Rats, the Rusty Paul Band, the Jazz Chicks, and the Jerry Vezza Quartet. For more information, click here.

The Same Page Party
This event is for the single people out there. Although Millburn-Short Hills, NJ is very family-friendly, it is single-friendly, too! This event has space for 25 males and 25 females. It will take place at the Martini Bistro & Bar in Millburn, NJ on Thursday, August 30th at 7 pm. The cost is $15. The purpose of this event is for people looking to connect with someone intelligent and serious about dating to find each other. For more information, click here.

Millburn Scrabble Club
The Millburn Scrabble Club meets every Monday evening at 6:45 pm at the Millburn Public Library. Participants can play games of Scrabble together and enter into tournaments on the final Monday of each month. The cost to participate is $1.

Hopefully there is something that catches your eye in this list! If you have any favorite Millburn-Short Hills, NJ entertainment options that you want to share, don't hesitate to leave a comment! And, of course, please contact me if you have any questions about living in the area or buying or selling real estate locally. Have a great week!

Elaine Pruzon
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage
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Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Negotiating tips for buying a Millburn-Short Hills home

You've found a Millburn-Short Hills home you want to make an offer on. Congratulations! These four tips will help your negotiation process go more smoothly. Negotiating can be difficult, especially if you haven't done it before. You want to pay as low of a price as possible, while the seller wants you to pay as much as possible. Check out these tips for negotiating a price for your Millburn-Short Hills home today:

Don't offer too little

The initial offer you make frames the whole negotiation. You want to go lower than the highest amount you're willing to pay, of course, but you don't want to go so low that it backfires. Low balling can anger a seller to the point where they are irritated by you or, at worst, refuse to negotiate further.

Get to know the seller

Find out as much as you can about the seller and the property. Why are they selling? Do they still live there, or have they already moved out? How long has the house been on the market? Have their been any other offers yet, and if so, how come they didn't pan out? This information will give you an idea of how urgently the seller wants to sell and, by extension, how much they will be willing to negotiate.

Make it personal

Sellers often make the mistake of letting their emotions get involved in their home sale. You can use this to your benefit! A seller has a lot of memories and emotions attached to the home. They want to know that it will be in good hands. Send the seller a letter telling a little bit about yourself and everyone who will live in the house. Outline why the house is a perfect fit for you. The idea might sound strange, but it can help!

Get everything in writing

Do not forget to get every little thing in writing. Will the dishwasher stay with the house? What about the washer and dryer? If yes, that needs to be in your contract. Will they clean up the scrap pile out back before you move in? Make it official. You definitely want a professional to help you with this part.

Hopefully these tips help make your negotiation process on your Millburn-Short Hills home go more smoothly. If you have any other questions, or would like to enlist me as your professional help, do not hesitate to ask.

Elaine Pruzon
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage
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Wednesday, August 1, 2012

The History of Millburn-Short Hills, NJ

Local residents know that Millburn-Short Hills, NJ is a fantastic place to live, but not everyone knows about its history. If you've ever wondered what your town was like years and years ago, this post is a good place to start. If you are interested in more in-depth information about Millburn-Short Hills, NJ beyond what is here, check out the "Links" page on the Millburn-Short Hills Historical Society website. That will show you where to find specific information, such as the history of a particular house or building, or a local family lineage.

Short Hills, which is located in Millburn Township, was formed in the late 1800s. Prior to that, Native Americans such as the Lenape lived on that land. Short Hills started off as a planned community from the beginning. Business man Stewart Hartshorn decided to create the town as an ideal home for workers to live in.

Stewart Hartshorn thought Short Hills was in a perfect location for commuters. He built a railroad station along the Morris and Essex Railroad line so commuters could travel to and from Hoboken and New York City relatively quickly. Although Short Hills is still largely a "bedroom community" in the sense that residents sleep but do not work there, more businesses have cropped up over the years.

Although Short Hills is an independent community with its own train station, post office, and downtown, it does not have its own governmening body. Millburn Township is the local government that also presides over Short Hills, NJ. If you'd like any further information about the history of Millburn-Short Hills, NJ, check these resources at the Millburn Free Public Library site.

As always, do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions about the area or about local real estate!

Elaine Pruzon
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage
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