Cleaning up your credit before buying in Millburn-Short Hills, NJ

One of the very first steps in home buying is cleaning up your credit.  Without good credit, you won't qualify for a good loan.  Without a good loan, you might not be able to buy the house of your dreams.  Cleaning up your credit before finding the home you want to buy is the way to go.  That way you can figure out an accurate budget and there won't be any last-minute surprises or obstacles when closing on a home.  Here on tips on cleaning up your credit before buying a home in Millburn-Short Hills, NJ:

Order a credit report and correct any mistakes
Everyone is entitled to free credit reports from the three major credit agencies on an annual basis.  Click here to request yours.  Once you've received the reports, comb them for any inaccuracies.  Even something small such as an old credit limit on a card can affect your score.  Remember, you may also request to have anything over seven years old removed from your report.  That includes late fees, cards you've closed, and accounts that went to collections.

Pay off anything in collections
Having something in collections hurts your credit score big time.  Pay off any outstanding debts you have immediately.  Call and try to negotiate paying a lower price if you pay immediately, in full.  Sometimes creditors will remove the debt for half of its worth if they are worried they won't get any payment otherwise.  Shortly after paying off outstanding debts, obtain your credit reports again and make sure they have been updated.

Ask for an increased credit limit
An increased credit limit will give you a better debt-to-credit ratio and that is taken into consideration when developing your credit score.  Basically, you want to have much more credit available to you than what you are currently using.  Call current credit card companies and ask for an increased limit.  Don't put more debt on the credit card, however, because then your ratio will stay the same!

Practice good habits now
If your credit history has some blemishes that you can't remove yet because they aren't over seven years old, just relax and do the best you can now.  Pay all of your overdue accounts and bring them up to date so they are current as soon as possible.  From now on, make sure to pay every bill on time.  A credit history that has some rocky parts, but shows improvement in recent months can still be used to obtain a loan.

Hopefully these tips will help you clean up your credit score so you can get the mortgage and the Millburn-Short Hills, NJ house that you want!  If you have any questions whatsoever about local real estate or the community, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Elaine Pruzon
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage
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Celebrating Father's Day in Millburn-Short Hills, NJ

Father's Day will be here soon, on Sunday, June 17th, 2012.  Each year the national holiday is held on the third Sunday of the month in the United States and many other countries.  Celebrated around the world, Father's Day is an opportunity to celebrate fatherhood and the contribution dads make to society.  Do you know how you're going to celebrate Father's Day in Millburn-Short Hills, NJ yet?

Going out to eat is probably the most popular Father's Day tradition.  Thankfully, Millburn-Short Hills, NJ offers many local restaurant options so there is no need to travel far.  Here are a few choices for you to consider as you plan ways to show the dad in your life how much he means to you:

Cafe Luna
Cafe Luna is an authentic Italian restaurant located in Millburn that specializes in Northern Italian cuisine.  They offer a brunch menu in addition to lunch and dinner options.  They offer a wide variety of unique entree options, from sauteed mussels with chorizo (Cozze e Chorizo) to rabbit casserole in hunter sauce (Coniglio).  The prices are also extremely reasonable, so you won't have to worry about breaking the bank.

Millburn Delicatessen 
Known more popularly as the Millburn Deli, this delicatessen has been serving loyal neighborhood customers since 1946.  You know the food is good when an establishment sticks around for that long!  They offer hundreds of sandwich choices, including subs, panini, and sloppy joes, and more.  Dad will enjoy the food and, if it's a nice day, taking advantage of the outdoor seating in order to enjoy the weather, too.

Sakura Japanese Restaurant
If you'd prefer going someone a little fancier to celebrate Father's Day, Sakura Japanese Restaurant is for you.  Sakura features a sushi bar full of high-quality sushi of all types.  Not into raw fish?  Don't worry--they also have a wide menu of Asian fusion entrees from tempura to noodle dishes to grilled chicken and fish.

If you check out any of these Millburn-Short Hills, NJ restaurants, I'd love to hear about it!  I like staying on top of local culture and entertainment so I also encourage you to contact me if you have any tips on new hot spots in the area.  As always, feel free to contact me if you have questions about buying or selling real estate locally, or the community in general.  Happy Father's Day!


Elaine Pruzon
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage
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Tips for moving into your Millburn-Short Hills home

You have found the perfect Millburn-Short Hills home and are incredibly excited about it...until you remember you haven't moved for years and aren't sure where to begin.  Moving can be an intimidating task beforehand and a frustrating process during if not approached correctly.  Here are some tips that will help you make the move into your Millburn-Short Hills home go as smoothly and worry-free as possible.

Start early
Moving is much harder when you wait until the very last minute to take care of all the details.  Start making preparations at least a month or two in advance.  Long before it is time to actually pack you can start collecting cardboard boxes from friends or local stores and creating a list of the accounts that need to be opened or closed when you move.  You can also research and book a moving agency, storage unit, or moving van.

Downsize
The more you have to move, the more expensive your moving costs will be, the longer time it will take, and the more energy involved.  Before moving is the time to go through all of your belongings and get rid of anything you no longer use.  Hold a garage sale and donate whatever doesn't sell to charity.  Grocery shop less that final week or two and use up all of the food in your kitchen before moving day.

Organize
If you pack without a plan, unpacking will be a mess.  Put similar items together in boxes, or organize boxes by room.  Clearly label each box so unpacking goes more smoothly.  Set aside a box, bag, or piece of luggage for each person and dedicate those to the items that will be needed the first few days after moving, before everything is unpacked.  (Think toiletries, undergarments, work- and school-related items, etc.)

Hopefully these tips help you create a easier move for yourself.  If you have any questions about moving, real estate, or the area, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Elaine Pruzon
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage
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Enjoy Millburn-Short Hills, NJ with Greenwood Gardens!

If you are new to Millburn-Short Hills, NJ (or considering moving here), you might not be aware of all that the area has to offer.  One place you definitely want to become acquainted with is the Greenwood Gardens.  Historically, the Gardens were created for a private estate until becoming non-profit owned in 2003.  Ever since, many people have enjoyed the beautiful landscape and regularly-held cultural events at the Greenwood Gardens.  There are many ways in which you may explore the Gardens, which are located at 274 Old Short Hills Road.

Guided Tours
Hour-long tours are available on scheduled dates and by appointment.  Through October, scheduled tours will occur every Thursday at 2 pm and on the first Saturday of the month at 10 am.  The tours are free to members and $10 each for non-members.  Tours begin at the formal entrance and will take visitors past cultivated gardens, reflecting pools, the hillsides of the Watchung Mountains, and more.  The "less formal" side of Greenwood contains ponds and meadows full of swans, geese, and chickens roaming about.

Events
There is an event nearly every week at the Greenwood Gardens.  These range from culture and entertainment events to green living how-to programs.  Upcoming events include "Fragrance in the Garden" on Saturday, June 2nd and Greenwood's Annual Jazz Picnic on Saturday, June 9th.  "Fragrance in the Garden" is a walk through the flowering gardens with plenty of stops to sniff different types of plants and flowers.  The Jazz Picnic features live jazz music for picnic-goers who bring their own food, but are treated to soft drinks and cupcakes by the Garden.

Volunteer
If after attending events or a tour you would like to become more involved, there are plenty of volunteer opportunities.  Garden docents attend monthly meetings, lead tours, and learn to tell the story of Greenwood Gardens.  Volunteer gardeners help take care of the Gardens under the direction of the horticultural staff.  There are also administrative volunteer opportunities for those more interested in helping with office work.

Overall, Greenwood Gardens are a wonderful asset to our community and provide plenty of opportunities for involvement.  If you go check them out (or are already a long-time fan), please leave me a comment!  As usual, I encourage anyone with questions or comments about real estate or Millburn-Short Hills, NJ to  contact me as well.

Elaine Pruzon
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage
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Millburn-Short Hills Real Estate: What should you bid?

Have you settled on a piece of Millburn-Short Hills real estate you'd like to make a bid on?  Congratulations!  The hardest part of finding a home is behind you, but making a bid still requires a bit of skill.  You don't want to  bid so low that the seller is insulted and refuses to negotiate with you, but you also don't want to end up bidding too high and paying more than necessary.  Here are tips on how to figure out the perfect amount to bid:

Research comparable houses
This one is obvious, but important.  Are you buying a twenty-year-old, two-bedroom ranch house with an attached garage and a small, fenced-in yard?  Then comb recent home sales in the area and see what twenty-year-old, two-bedroom ranch houses with attached garages and small, fenced-in yards went for in recent months.  Do not compare apples and oranges, i.e., a newly-built home with one that's been around for sixty years or a mid-sized townhouse with a large Victorian.  Also, compare what they homes sold for against what they were listed for to get an idea of how low you can reasonably bid.

Consider the neighborhood
The exact home in two different neighborhoods will often sell for two different prices.  Do your research.  Has this neighborhood have a higher than average noise level?  If so, you can definitely bring that up during negotiation as a reason for wanting to pay a lower price.  The same goes for any factor that can be considered a detriment such as planned local construction and crime rates.

Figure out the seller's position
Once you've researched similar houses and the neighborhood you should have a clear range of what you will end up paying for the home.  Figuring out the seller's position can help you decide how low you can bid from within that range.  Has the house been on the market for a long time, or was it just put up last week?  Does anyone live in it, or has the seller already purchased and moved into another home?  The more urgently they want it sold, the lower you can bid.

Bidding on Millburn-Short Hills real estate (or any real estate, for that matter) can be a difficult process.  I highly recommend consulting a professional.  If you have any questions about buying or selling a home in the area, please feel free to contact me.

Elaine Pruzon
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage
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Celebrating Mother's Day in Millburn-Short Hills, NJ

As your Millburn-Short Hills real estate agent I like to help local residents enjoy all of the perks of living here.  Millburn-Short Hills, NJ has a lot to offer.  That is why I encourage staying local for this Mother's Day on Sunday, May 13th.  There are plenty of fun things to do right here!

Enjoy Brunch at The Hilton
Every Sunday the Short Hills Hilton offers a gourmet brunch to hotel guests and the general public.  Seating is available from 11 am to 1:30 pm.  After 12 pm, a bloody mary, mimosa, or screwdriver is included for free.  Complimentary valet parking is included.


Celebrate Mother's Day with Burberry 
Maybe your mother is so hard to shop for that you'd rather have her pick out her own gift.  Perfect!  Shop at the mall at Short Hills and stop into the Burberry store.  They will be providing champagne and sweets from one to seven pm.  For more information, click here.

Relax on a Mini Yoga Retreat
Has mom been stressed lately?  A mini-yoga retreat might be just what she needs.  Bhakti Barn Yoga is offering a retreat specifically for moms on Mother's Day from two - four pm.  The retreat will be a "blissful, two-hour candlelit respite" and starts off with guided meditation.  The mini-retreat is $30 in advance and $35 at the door.

Hopefully these suggestions help you have an enjoyable Mother's Day In Millburn-Short Hills, NJ!  Feel free to contact me with any questions, comments, or suggestions.  Happy Mother's Day!

Elaine Pruzon
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage
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Staging your Millburn-Short Hills, NJ home

A major part of selling your Millburn-Short Hills, NJ home is staging.  Staging, quite simply, means making the house look nice.  Ideally, potential Millburn-Short Hills, NJ home buyers will walk into your open house and be able to immediately imagine themselves living there.  That is a lot easier for them to do when the house is free of clutter and looks like a place buyers would want to live—clean, comfortable, and well-designed.  Some people hire professional stagers, others get help from their realtor, and many sellers do it themselves.  Regardless of which route you go with staging, here are some general guidelines worth following:

Don’t forget about the outside

Outdoors is where your staging should begin.  This is what people see first, and if they don’t like it, they’ll keep on driving.  The grass should be cut short and nothing should be left in the yard or driveway, including garbage cans, bicycles, toys, gardening tools, etc.  Planting flowers or setting a potted flowering plant by the front door is an attractive touch.

Remove everything unnecessary

Paring down everything you own helps your home look less cluttered and larger.  If you don’t want to actually get rid of stuff, take out a storage unit for the time being.  Each room should have only what is necessary.  For example, the living room might have a couch, coffee table, and two chairs.  A bedroom might simply have a bed and dresser.  The less of your stuff potential buyers see, the more of their own things they can imagine in a room.

Clean, clean, and clean some more

When you clean your house for a staging, it needs to reach hotel-level cleanliness.  Every little detail adds to the impression home buyers get, and things you might not normally notice could make the house look bad.  A spider web in the corner or smudges on window glass might leave buyers subconsciously thinking the house hasn’t been taken care of well, or isn’t in great shape.  If you don’t like cleaning, hire someone!

Spend a little to make a lot

Investing a bit of money up top in order to repaint walls and spruce up the place is worth it.  A new rug and throw pillows can transform a living room and make it look up-to-date.  Ask your realtor for advice on staging—he or she will have knowledge on what works and what doesn’t work.  Any time you’re having an open house, buy a bouquet of flowers for the dining room table (and maybe a second one for the living room!). 

Hopefully these tips will help you sell your Millburn-ShortHills, NJ home for the price you’d like.  Many sellers don’t realize that these little touches can make a big difference in selling time and price.  If you’d like more information, or need help with buying or selling in Milburn-Short Hills, NJ, please contact me.  Have a good week!

Elaine Pruzon
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage
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