Maintaining your Short Hills, NJ home

There are many reasons people opt to become home owners. Maybe you bought your Short Hills, NJ home because you enjoy the location and want to stay here permanently or for a long time. Maybe you wanted the security of owning as you raise a family. Investing is usually a component of buying a home. If you don't pay attention to the maintenance of your Short Hills, NJ home, you are not properly protecting your investment. You could risk expensive repairs later that could be prevented by doing some basic tasks each year or so. Here is a list of eight quick things you can do to maintain your Short Hills, NJ home and keep your investment protected:

1. Each year in late spring or early summer, check out the air conditioning. See if any small parts need to be repaired or replaced. Clean or replace the air filters.
2. Each year before winter, check out your heating system in the same manner. Replace filters and vacuum ducts as necessary.
3. Pressure wash your siding and wood porches or decks. This could be done every-other-year depending on the level of build-up. Keeping things very clean like this will not only make your home look better, it will also make the materials last longer.
4. Check your roof for broken or missing shingles and gutter problems. Replace or reattach as necessary. Trim any tree branches touching the roof as they can cause problems later.
5. Clean out your chimney and make sure there are no leaves, dead animals, nests, or other debris in there. If you have a fireplace, clean that. Make sure everything is properly ventilated and that screens are in place where needed.
6. Check all smoke detectors are operable and replace batteries as needed. Be sure to have a fire extinguisher and make sure it's filled and in working order.
7. Replace or patch screens in doors and windows. Replace broken panels of glass. Check to ensure windows are sealed properly and add caulk when necessary.
8. Check faucets in bathrooms, utility rooms, the kitchen, and even outdoor spigots for leaks or other problems. Take care of small issues before they become larger.

Hopefully these simple tips help you better care for your Short Hills, NJ home. If you have any questions about home maintenance or buying or selling a Short Hills, NJ home, do not hesitate to contact me. Have a good week!

Elaine Pruzon
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage
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Halloween in Millburn, NJ

There are many Halloween events that Millburn, NJ home owners can enjoy. Families and children of all ages--from tiny tots to teens--will find something fun to do this Halloween in the Millburn, NJ area.

Check out 2012 Millburn, NJ area Halloween events:

Pumpkin Patch at Wyoming Presbyterian Church
Throughout the rest of the month of October, there will be at pumpkin patch at Wyoming Presbyterian Church in Millburn, NJ. It will be open from 11:30 am to 5:30 pm on weekdays, 10 am - 5:30 pm on Saturdays, and noon - 5:30 pm on Sundays. Proceeds go to the Community Foodbank of New Jersey. For more information, click here.

Newcomers and Neighbors Adult Social Halloween Party
On Friday, October 19th at 7 pm, there will be a Halloween Party for adults only in Short Hills, NJ. Tickets cost $35 and the party will keep going until 11 pm. It takes place at the Racquets Club of Short Hills. For more information, click here.

62nd Annual Millburn Halloween Parade
On Sunday, October 28th there will be a lot of fun from 11 am to 3 pm in Taylor Park, at 100 Main Street in Millburn, NJ. In addition to a parade, there will be pony rides, a petting zoo, hay rides, and pumpkins for picking. Kids under age 15 in costume may have a free hot dog; other food will be on sale for everyone else. For more information, click here.

Wyoming Club Halloween Party
There will be games and food at this Halloween Party for kids. It will take place on Sunday, October 28th, at 2 pm at the Wyoming Club. For more information, click here.


Pre-School Trick or Treat
This trick-or-treat event is specifically for the pre-schoolers and will take place in downtown Millburn, NJ on Wednesday, October 31st. For more information, click here.

Have a fantastic fall season and Halloween holiday in Millburn, NJ this year! If you have any questions about the local community or real estate opportunities, be sure to contact me.

Elaine Pruzon
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage
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Are you ready to buy a Millburn-Short Hills, NJ home?

So you're considering buying your first home and are thinking of Millburn-Short Hills, NJ. Congratulations! You're in the right place. Millburn-Short Hills, NJ is a popular place to move because of its many amenities and strong sense of community. Buying your first home--here or anywhere--is a major decision. You want to ask yourself many questions before taking that big step. Here are questions that will help you determine if you are ready to purchase a home in Millburn-Short Hills, NJ:

Will you stay put for while?

In order to make the investment worth your while, you probably want to stay in the home you buy for several years before you resell it. If you cannot imagine staying in Millburn-Short Hills, NJ for the next five years or so, it is probably not a good time for you to buy a home.

Is your life fairly stable?

Of course unpredictable things happen all of the time, but take a moment to think about potential major changes you can foresee. Is your job secure, or are you at risk of losing it? Is your marriage rocky, or going strong? Could you see yourself quitting work to go back to school in the near future? These are all things that should be taken into consideration before making a decision about buying a home.

Do you have good credit?

Perfect credit is not necessary for buying a home. That said, if you very bad credit, you do not want to start home shopping until you've cleaned it up. Having items in collections or loans that have defaulted will not help you when you're looking for a mortgage.

Can you afford what you want to buy?

Take an honest assessment of your financial situation and determine whether or not you can afford what you want to buy. Look at what you have saved for a down payment, what you estimate repairs, utilities, and property taxes will cost, and from there calculate the amount you can afford to pay each month. Is this enough to buy you the house you want to live in for the next several years?

Hopefully this post has helped you as you contemplate buying your first Millburn-Short Hills, NJ home. If you do decide to buy a home now, do not hesitate to contact me for professional help with finding the perfect home for you and negotiating a reasonable price.

Elaine Pruzon
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage
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Fall Events in Summit, NJ

Being a Summit, NJ home owner is rewarding for many reasons. One of them is that there are a variety of events to choose from in the Summit, NJ area. Here are a couple fun events that should appeal both to adults and children alike. These are affordable, entertaining, and probably not like what most residents do everyday. Check out some upcoming Summit, NJ events:

Fall Festival Fun Family Event

The Fall Festival will take place on Saturday, October 13th at 11 am until 3 pm. This free event will be at Jefferson Elementary School, 110 Ashwood Avenue in Summit, NJ. There will be a variety of activities that will delight children and adults. Activities will include pony rides, crafts, games, an obstacle course, a raffle, a cakewalk, a food and bake sale, pumpkin decorating, and more. For more information, click here.

Second Annual Beefsteak Dinner

Last year's Beefsteak Dinner was so fun, they decided to do it again! This event is put on by the Millburn PBA Local 34 at Knights of Columbus at 60 Shurnpike Road in Summit, NJ. It takes place on Saturday, October 13th at 6 pm. This is a charity dinner and the proceeds benefit PBA Local 34 and the charities they support.  There will be entertainment provided by DJ Tony Batelli and door prizes will be awarded to winning guests. The cost is $50 per person and that includes all-you-can-eat beefsteak, beer, wine, and soda. For more information, click here.

Hopefully these events help make your October a little more fun. If you have any Summit, NJ events you'd like me to write about in the future, or if you have any questions about local real estate, feel free to contact me. Have a great week!

Elaine Pruzon
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage
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Tips for negotiating price on your Millburn-Short Hills, NJ home

There are many components to selling your Millburn-Short Hills, NJ home. You have to choose a listing price, find the right real estate professional, advertise, stage the house, and more. Today I will focus on negotiating price. As you surely already know, people don't buy and sell houses the way they go grocery shopping. The list price is very rarely what the actual house ends up selling for. That is why being savvy about negotiating the price on your Millburn-Short Hills, NJ home can help you sell your house more quickly and for more money.

Here are tips for negotiating price on your Millburn-Short Hills, NJ home:

Choose the right listing price
The negotiations start based on your listing price so you definitely want to make sure you choose the best price for your house. You want it to be somewhat higher than what you are willing to accept because you will almost certainly end up negotiating down. Still, you don't want it to be so high that people don't come view the house. A professional can help you with your listing price.

Don't forget to use forward pricing
When choosing the listing price for your Millburn-Short Hills, NJ home, you will most likely look at similar houses that have sold recently nearby. Do not forget to use forward pricing! That means if the market value of homes has gone up 5% over the past few months since that house you're basing your price off of was sold, you need to adjust accordingly. Not forward pricing can cost you thousands.

Don't ignore low offers
Some sellers will become insulted by a low ball offer and refuse to negotiate with the potential buyer further. Don't do that! Buyers are just trying to get the best deal they can. Even if someone's first offer is ridiculously low, it doesn't necessarily mean they won't be willing to negotiate upward into a range that you find acceptable.

Let a professional handle it
When it comes to the actual back and forth negotiating, let a professional handle it. A real estate professional with years of experience will be much better at negotiating. Also, a professional does not have emotions wrapped up in the property and can treat it as purely business, which is usually for the best.

If you have any questions about selling your Millburn-Short Hills, NJ home, do not hesitate to contact me.

Elaine Pruzon
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage
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New Exhibits at the Newark Museum in Newark, NJ

Many new exhibits opened today in Newark, NJ! For those of you who have already been to the Newark Museum, you know that all of their exhibits are interesting and of a high quality. For those who have not been to the Museum, schedule a visit! It is one of the artistic treasures of Newark, NJ and is very near to Millburn-Short Hills, NJ. It's worth making the short trip for a fun afternoon. Three new exhibits that will be sure to delight Millburn-Short Hills, NJ home owners opened today. Here is more information about them:

Angels and Tomboys

This traveling exhibit explores "girlhood in 19th century American art." It includes paintings, photographs, sculpture, and more. The collection includes about eighty works of art, which will be in the museum until January 6th, 2013. Featured artists include Thomas Eakins, William Merritt Chase, Cecila Beaux, and more. For more information, click here.

Re-Activating Chinese Antiquities

This exhibit features ceramics from China and created during seven different dynasties from second century BC to the present. This exhibit will help explain how China became synonymous with ceramics in the art world. A variety of techniques and materials will be on display, including porcelain, earthenware, stoneware, and glazes. For more information, click here.

In Her Eyes

"In Her Eyes" is a celebration of "Women behind and in front of the camera," which means it is a collection of photography taken by female photographers, with female subjects. These photos are drawn from the museum's collection, and many have never before been on display. Artists include Cindy Sherman, Sally Mann, Dorothea Lange, and more. For more information, click here.

Hopefully you check out this great artistic resource that is so close to Millburn-Short Hills, NJ! The museum is open Wednesday - Sunday, 12 noon - 5 pm. Adult entry costs $10 for non-members.

If you have any questions about fun day trips that can be taken from Millburn-Short Hills, NJ, do not hesitate to contact me! The same goes for if you need any real estate-related help. Have a great week!

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

Staging is an important part of selling your Millburn-Short Hills, NJ home. By giving your home a makeover of sorts you can make it more attractive to potential buyers. This can lead to the home being sold more quickly and for more money than it would've gone for otherwise. Because staging is relatively inexpensive and easy to do, it is valuable and has a high return on investment. Staging your Millburn-Short Hills, NJ home according to the season can be even more helpful.

Autumn is quickly coming. Here are fall tips for staging your Millburn-Short Hills, NJ home:

Pay extra attention to the yard

You never know when a potential buyer will drive by to take a look at the house from the outside. If your house is listed, you want the yard to be clean and free of debris, including dead leaves. That means in fall months, raking or leaf blowing is very important. Check your yard every single day and make sure it is presentable. Also pay attention to gutters. A gutter full of leaves sends a message that your home isn't kept up well, even if it may be. Clean the gutters as often as necessary.

Brighten up the place

Ask anyone--natural light helps sell a home. There is less natural light in fall and winter. Replace dark paint with light, bright colors that reflect the sunshine to make the most of the natural light you're still getting. Swap out dark or thick blinds and curtains with light, airy fabric that lets in natural light. Trim trees and bushes that block sun light from streaming in the windows. Hold showings and open houses earlier so there is still plenty of light when potential buyers come over.

Take advantage of season-specific decorating

Don't go overboard here. Halloween decorations can look cheap or, even worse, offend certain buyers. Do, however, buy pumpkins and gourds for natural, season-specific decor. Put a pumpkin on the front step and arrange a centerpiece using gourds and flowers in fall colors. Light a pumpkin or cinnamon scented candle to provide a comforting scent that makes guests feel right at home.

Hopefully these tips help you stage your Millburn-Short Hills, NJ home this fall. Do not hesitate to contact me if you want more guidance on selling your Millburn-Short Hills, NJ home, or picking out a new one to buy!

Elaine Pruzon
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage
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