Thursday, July 25, 2013

5 Millburn-Short Hills Area Events This Weekend!

How are you enjoying your summer so far in the Millburn-Short Hills area of New Jersey? Is it flying by for you? It is for me, your North Jersey real estate agent! To ensure that you enjoy ever free moment you have left this summer, I’ve gathered information about five upcoming events in the area.

Check out what’s happening and see what you might like to attend:
  1. Bring a blanket, a picnic basket and a bottle of wine to the Visual Arts Center of New Jersey in Summit, NJ tonight at 7 p.m. for Shakespeare in the Garden! Tonight’s performance is Henry V and is the last performance this summer. A short 15-minute question and answer session takes place after the performance with cast members. 
  2. If you’re looking for an outdoor activity the whole family can enjoy, gather the kids and head to Summit, NJ for Screen on the Green tonight! This is the second night of the outdoor film series. The night begins with a pre-movie Family Dance Party with Summit Soundz, and then there is a screening of Toy Story! Plan to be there by 7:30 p.m. 
  3. Flamenco Nights has arrived at Galeria West, an art and music gallery in Westfield, NJ. It’s a bi-monthly concert that features music and dance artists that portray and celebrate this popular genre from Spain. The event begins at 7:30 p.m. tomorrow, July 26. Tickets cost $25 for adults and $15 for kids. 
  4. Considering adopting a pet to your New Jersey family? Jersey Animal Coalition in South Orange, NJ will host a Take Me Out of the Shelter community festival this Saturday, July 28, beginning at noon. You can “name your price” for any animal that has been at the facility for more than a year. There will also be a barbecue, ice cream, face painting and more! 
  5. On Sunday, July 28, enjoy a gorgeous day outside at the historic garden of Macculloch Hall Historical Museum in Morristown, NJ. Gary Reed will be performing 21st century songs, with roots in the 60’s and 70’s, while you wander through the garden or enjoy a picnic on a blanket. Tickets cost $12 for nonmembers and can be purchased that day. 
For more events in the Millburn, Short Hills and Summit area, visit the Millburn-Short Hills Patch or Summit Patch! They’ve got daily events listed.

Enjoy this last weekend of July! When you’re ready to buy a New Jersey home or sell your New Jersey home, contact me! As your Millburn-Short Hills real estate agent, I’m always here and ready to help you achieve your real estate goals.

Elaine Pruzon
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage
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Thursday, July 18, 2013

How to Beat the Heat in Your Millburn-Short Hills Home!

It has been an extremely hot, humid week in New Jersey, and it's not over yet! Forecasters say today and tomorrow will remain in the 90s but will feel like 105 degrees. As your Millburn-Short Hills real estate agent, I can assure you, that is hot.

What can you do to make sure you’re cool and safe in this heat? For one, make sure your air conditioner is working properly! If the air begins to feel less cool, or you notice it not kicking on, call someone immediately. With units working so hard, repairers might be quite busy.

As NorthJersey.com states, this heat poses the biggest threat for the very young, very old, disabled and pets. You can do your part by checking on elderly or disabled neighbors, to make sure their air conditioning is on and they are comfortable. Also, be sure they are drinking lots of water, as are you! If you have pets, don’t leave them outside for any length of time.

You could also visit a local pool! The Millburn, NJ swimming pool is located at Gero Park and includes a main pool with a water slide, and a wading pool. The Summit, NJ community pool is located at the Summit FamilyAquatic Center, with pools, slides, interactive water toys and a diving board. Some cities, like Hoboken, have set up sprinklers in community parks.

While in your home, these are great tips from Yahoo Homes on how to cheaply keep cool:
  • Window film can be stuck to windows to block infrared light while still allowing visible light into the room. It minimizes heat so it can save you 30 percent on cooling costs!
  • Solar shades or special screens can also help keep heat from the sun out. Solar shades are mounted on the outside of windows.
  • Exhaust fans are great for placing in windows at night when it cools off, just to filter out some of the air with fresh air. This only works when the evening air is cool, though.
  • Turning on ceiling fans are a great way to keep the air circulated and to feel a cool breeze.
If you’re looking to sell your Millburn-Short Hills home soon, don’t lose curb appeal by allowing your lawn to wither and die in this heat. Plant Solutions in NJ shared these tips:
  • Keep your lawn uncut a little longer than usual, to help it retain water and stand up to heat.
  • Skip the lawn fertilizer. You could damage your lawn with fertilizer. Wait until the fall!
  • Water it in the early morning. This way, you’ll prevent evaporation, which dries out the lawn.
  • Water deeply. Longer watering two or three times a week is better than light, frequent watering, because the water is able to get down to the roots deep in the soil.
Hope these tips help you stay cool and keep your house in great shape for a home sale! When you’re ready to buy or sell in the Millburn-Short Hills real estate market, contact me!

Elaine Pruzon
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage
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Thursday, July 11, 2013

5 Questions Every New Jersey Homebuyer Should Consider!

As your Millburn-Short Hills real estate agent, I’m here to help you buy a Millburn-Short Hills home! With rising home prices and mortgage rates, and relatively low housing inventory, it’s safe to say that it’s more of a seller’s market than a buyer’s market right now. Still, Millburn homebuyers are eager to buy before prices and rates rise more.

Because of low inventory, Millburn-Short Hills homebuyers might opt to rush into a closing in fear of losing a deal. While it is possible that another buyer will snatch up the home before you, it’s still important to make sure that the North Jersey home is right for you!

As your North Jersey real estate agent, it’s my job to inform you that there is more involved to choosing a house than the number of rooms it has, and the inspection. You have to make sure the home fits in with your lifestyle needs, it’s in your price range, and it’ll resell for a good amount.

Here are five questions that Realtor Magazine recommends every buyer consider, which I full agree with:
  1. How’s the noise? The home might look great, but is it on a flight path? Near railroad tracks or a busy road? By a hospital with ambulances or fire trucks roaring by? Loud neighbors? You might want to visit the neighborhood at different times of the day and see what the surrounding environment is like.
  2. Are there easements or encroachments on the property? An easement would allow others to use a portion of your property for a specific purpose, so as the homeowner of that property, you’d definitely want to know that before buying!
  3. Is the house up to code? If the current home sellers did some major renovation projects on the house before listing, and didn’t get a permit first, there might be fines that you’ll then be responsible for.
  4. What are the districts? If you have kids, you’ll definitely want to check the school ratings, but even if you don’t have kids, the school system could affect the value of the home. Also check to see if you’re in a library, park or police district. These could all affect fees and taxes that you pay.
  5. What are the local rules? Homeowner association rules vary, so you’ll want to find out what those are before moving in. Also, if you’re relocating, check the rules by the city and county, to see what you’re allowed and not allowed to do as homeowner in that area.
As your Millburn-Short Hills real estate agent, I can help you out with these! While you’re shopping the New Jersey real estate market for the perfect home, I can help you find answers and save you time. Just don’t go rushing into a closing without really knowing what you’re getting yourself into. You’ll be happy you took the time to find these answers in the long run!

Elaine Pruzon
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage
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Wednesday, July 3, 2013

Millburn-Short Hills 4th of July Guide + Special Announcement!

Happy 4th of July week in Millburn and Short Hills, NJ! As your Millburn real estate agent, I want to make sure that you’re fully aware of the schedule for this year’s Old Fashioned 4th of July celebration in Millburn! But first, I have a special announcement I’d like to tell you about.

real estate report was released this week by Real Trends Magazine with the Wall Street Journal, which ranked thousands of real estate agents in four categories. I am proud to announce that I was named twice! I ranked 81st out of the top 250 Realtors nationwide by sales volume in 2012, and I was named Top Realtor in New Jersey by sales volume!

If you want to sell your New Jersey home, now you know who to contact. Of all the Realtors in the state, I had the best sales volume in 2012, and I continue to strive for this in 2013! Contact me when you’re ready to sell!

As for this week’s 4th of July festivities in Millburn, here is the full lineup of events on Thursday, July 4th:
  • Millburn’s Old Fashioned 4th of July celebration kicks off with a flag-raising ceremony at Taylor Park. At 9:15 a.m., locals Dr. Martin Levine and Emily Young will be presented the Patriot Award for their responses at the Boston Marathon bombings earlier this year.
  • At 9:30 a.m., the bike, trike and stroller parade kicks off. Be sure to decorate your bike with red, white and blue before riding it in the parade!
  • At 10 a.m., the annual girls’ All-Star softball game will kick off! Sit back and enjoy the action.
  • The afternoon program continues from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Taylor Park. During this time, your whole family can enjoy duck races, pony rides, face painting, amusement rides and more! There will also be a memorable Revolutionary War Encampment.
  • The evening program will kick off at 7 p.m. at the Millburn High School. Krazy Kat will play patriotic music, and families can enjoy a model airplane airshow!
  • The long-awaited fireworks show will begin at dusk, around 9:15 p.m. No chairs are allowed on the field, so be sure to pack a blanket and bug spray!
Advanced tickets for the entire day cost $10 and can be picked up at Millburn Deli, Futter’s Shoes, Buncher’s Hardware, Michael’s Barber Shop, La Strada and Splurge Bakery. On July 4th, you can purchase tickets for $12. Or, if the fireworks are all that interest you, $5 tickets are available!

What are your 4th of July plans in Millburn, Short Hills, Summit or Livingston, NJ? Let me know by leaving a comment! And remember, when you’re ready to sell your North Jersey home, contact me! I am your Millburn-Short Hills real estate agent, and also New Jersey’s top Realtor for sales volume in 2012!

Elaine Pruzon
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage
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