Show Support and Celebrate this Winter in Millburn-Short Hills!

Each time that I meet with a buyer who is interested in purchasing a home in the Millburn-Short Hills, NJ area, one question that I hear frequently is, “How community-oriented is this town? Are the people warm, friendly and supportive?” Picking a location that suits the needs of your family is nearly as important as finding the perfect home, and so it’s understandable that before deciding to look at the many homes on the market in Millburn-Short Hills, that they would feel the need to find out how family-friendly the area is. As a Millburn-Short Hills real estate agent, I am always very honest when I hear this question: the answer is yes; of course we are community-oriented and supportive of one another!

Part of the reason that I keep myself in the know about the local happenings in the Millburn-Short Hills area is because when I start telling potential home buyers what a great community I live in, having specific examples to back up my argument helps. This winter, I am proud to say that there are several events happening that are not only fun, but beneficial to the community. In the interest of helping us be the supportive and giving neighborhood that people are looking for when they decide to relocate to Millburn-Short Hills, I thought I’d outline a few upcoming events that will prove to be both fun and rewarding.

“Come Together” Gala
Saturday, February 4th
Hilton Short Hills
41 John F. Kennedy Pkwy, Short Hills, NJ
The word “gala” typically conjures images of dinner, dancing and awards, and this celebration, being thrown by the Millburn-Short Hills Chamber of Commerce, is no exception. You can enjoy an evening of dining and celebration while participating in auctions that will benefit not-for-profit organizations in the area. Twelve of these local organizations will be honored with a “Major Not-for-Profit Serving our Community and Beyond Award.” The best part is that you can choose which of the organizations you want to support, and the Chamber will deduct 30% of the cost of your ticket and give it to that charity. Tickets are $100 per person, or if you have a large group, $950 for a table of ten. It’s bound to be a great evening, and it’s another fabulous way to show support for the community.

Senior Celebration Dinner and Fashion Show 2012
Wednesday, February 8th
307 W. Northfield Road, Livingston, NJ
There’s nothing quite like celebrating the talent of the high school kids in our area. All members of the Millburn-Short Hills community are invited to an evening of dining and fashion featuring our very own Millburn High School seniors as the runway models. Tickets are only $75, and the proceeds will benefit the Senior Celebration and the community’s efforts to keep graduation activities fun and safe for all students. It’s something that’s a little different, and let’s be honest: it will be fun seeing those high school students strut their stuff on the runway!

Chamber Music & Chocolates
Sunday, February 12th
Far Brook School
52 Great Hills Road, Millburn, NJ
If you haven’t already made Valentine’s Day plans, this local music event may be a great option! Not only will you enjoy wonderful chamber music played by some of the school’s faculty, but you’ll also get to enjoy some savory chocolate treats. There are a few distinguished guests, as well, including the star of the 1994 Broadway Revival of Showboat Andre Solomon-Glover. At only $20 per suggested contribution, this interesting and fun-filled event will benefit the Far Brook School Music Department’s Music & Instrument Fund.

Not only are these events going to provide fond memories, they will also help benefit several organizations that are important to our community. Whether you enjoy fashion, music or lavish galas, something on this list is likely to pique your interest. As a Millburn-Short Hills real estate agent, I consider it part of my responsibility to publicize these events and bring our community together. That way, when a home buyer interested in relocating to Millburn-Short Hills asks me to describe the community; I can use these events as examples of our area’s character.

If you have any questions about living in Millburn-Short Hills or want to find out more about these events, don’t hesitate to contact me! I’d be happy to provide you with any and all answers to your questions. I hope to hear from you soon!

Elaine Pruzon
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage
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Why Should I Hire a Millburn-Short Hills Real Estate Agent?

In my many years of working in the Millburn-Short Hills real estate market, I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard the words, “But why would I hire an agent? I can do it myself.” Many people think that they know enough about the local market and the ins and outs of a real estate transaction to list and sell their homes themselves. As a seasoned Millburn-Short Hills real estate agent, I can honestly tell you that while several people have managed to sell a home on their own, many people ultimately regret not using an agent to do so after the transaction is over.

There are several reasons that you should probably hire an agent when you decide to put your Millburn-Short Hills home for sale on the market, and I just thought that I’d outline a few of them:

•    Listing a home on your own is a hassle. The constant phone calls. The showing appointments. The back and forth that can ensue with a potential buyer. When you already have a full-time job, kids and other responsibilities to worry about, having to successfully market, show, negotiate and sell your home is not on the top of your to-do list. When you hire a Millburn-Short Hills real estate agent, you have a professional who wants to take this burden on for you, and they will make it a top priority.

•    How much do you REALLY know about each transaction? Sure, the logistics might not be that hard to figure out, but there are a lot of intricacies and complicated issues that can arise in even the most simple of real estate transactions. When you hire a professional to sell your house for you, it becomes easier to avoid these complications. Your Millburn-Short Hills real estate agent will deal with every little detail, leaving you free of hassle and stress.

•    A professional stays on top of current trends. Did you know that for many Millburn-Short Hills homebuyers, energy-efficient appliances and green upgrades are a hot commodity? Unless you were a practicing real estate agent or somebody who has recently bought or sold a home, you may not have been aware of this emerging trend in the market. Your real estate agent will give you the information that you need about what home buyers want. This will give you an edge over the competition, and you’ll get more value added to your home.

•    Without a Millburn-Short Hills real estate agent, you may not have anyone looking out for your best interest. No matter how experienced you are with selling homes, there is no way to stay on top of all the changes that the market can face unless you sell homes for a living. If you’re not constantly aware of the changes in the market and housing laws, then you could make a costly mistake that could end up in you being fined or getting a bad deal for your home. If you hire the right real estate agent, then you will always have someone on your side that is looking out for your best interest, and the best part is that they’re aware of what’s happening in the world of housing right now, so they’ll know how to navigate your transaction.

Whenever I hear anyone questioning the value of hiring a Millburn-Short Hills real estate agent, I always point out the benefits listed above. If you can find someone who is willing to take on the stress and hassle of marketing and listing your home for you, then why would you want to do it yourself? If you ever have any questions about what I can do for you, please don’t hesitate to contact me! I love letting people know about all of the different ways that I can help them navigate the Millburn-Short Hills real estate market. I hope to hear from you soon!


Elaine Pruzon
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage
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Get Your Millburn-Short Hills Home Organized This Winter!

Whether you’re ready to put your Millburn-Short Hills home on the real estate market or not, getting your home organized is important. Think about it: you have a limited amount of square footage that you can truly call your own, and since we are finally in the post-holidays phase of winter, now is the time to get that space spruced up. After all, it’s much easier to enjoy living in your Millburn-Short Hills home if you can actually find your way around in it.

As a Millburn-Short Hills real estate agent, I have to be knowledgeable about home organization because it can become a large factor in my job. When my clients set about putting their home up for sale on the Millburn-Short Hills real estate market, one of the biggest tasks they need to complete is going through their belongings and de-cluttering their house. That’s why, in the spirit of getting your home in tip-top shape this season, I thought I’d share a few storage solutions with you. That way, you can live your in beautiful home clutter-free:

Use your stairway for seasonal extras. Put some drawers under sturdier stairs and use them to store extra linens, towels and seasonal items. This is a convenient way to create more storage space at an affordable price.

Use your crawl space to its best potential. Whether you have a crawl space underneath the floors or in your basement, lining them with shelves and using that as extra storage space creates an extra room for your belongings. Having shelves will also keep you from having a large pile build up in the crawl space, which can create a disorganized mess. Using the shelves will allow you to truly maximize your home’s potential, and it’s a great bonus to use if you ever choose to put your home on the Millburn-Short Hills real estate market.

What’s under the mattress? Did you know that you can buy a mattress that lifts to reveal extra storage space? This is the perfect place to keep extra blankets and linens for guests, and it won’t require any additional space or building on your part. The best part? You can find this wonder mattress at IKEA, so you know it’s relatively affordable.

Hide the cat litter, if you can. We know that it’s imperative to keep the litter box inside, but that doesn’t mean that you have to keep your cat’s business out in the open. Invest in a small, inexpensive storage cabinet that you can put the litter box in. The cat can slip in and out of the cabinet through a small opening in front, and voila. Your room will look cleaner and your cat will still have a place where it can do its business.

Use lockers. Before you roll your eyes, hear us out. Locker space is an inexpensive way to create extra pantry and storage space in your kitchen without a costly remodel, and you could paint or conceal them to go with your home’s décor. We know the idea sounds strange, but look around the kitchen and think about it: it could really work for you.

Use overhead areas to your advantage. Do you have some narrow hallways in your home? If so, use the narrow space between the walls to your advantage. Place a floating shelf or cabinet area above the next doorway and create another, convenient storage space. This can look discreet if you do it right, and it’s yet another way to create a storage solution without uprooting your home in a remodel.

Get creative when hiding the extras. Items like wrapping paper and holiday decorations are important to have in the house year-round, but it can also get aggravating when you need to find a place to put it all. Utilize wire racks on the ceilings and walls of your closets to store gift wrap and smaller decorations. That way, you have a hidden storage space for these items that is easy to access and organized at the same time.

If you take a look at the suggestions above, they all have one thing in common: they don’t require you to spend a lot of money for more storage space. Part of what makes a Millburn-Short Hills home appealing to home buyers is an abundance of storage space, and the small steps that you take to add small shelves and additional drawers will help add to your home’s overall value. If you have any questions about how you can get your Millburn-Short Hills home ready for sale, don’t hesitate to contact me! I’d love to use my many years of experience and expertise to help you out.

Elaine Pruzon
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage
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Go Green This Winter in Millburn-Short Hills!

Among the many New Year’s resolutions you may have this year, one may be to go green. But becoming more environmentally-friendly isn’t only about making the appropriate upgrades to your home and carrying cloth bags to the grocery store. It’s also about becoming more aware of environmental issues and learning more about the area around us. Luckily, there is one place that you can become more eco-savvy in the Millburn-Short Hills area, and that is the Essex County Environmental Center!

As a Millburn-Short Hills real estate agent, I try to make it a priority to stay knowledgeable about many different events happening in the area because all of my clients have different interests. If I can let them know about something that is happening in the community that may be of interest to them, then I always take the chance to do so. This winter, the Essex Environmental Center is offering several nature programs for both children and adults. It’s the perfect way to start going green: the more you know about the environment around you, the better you can figure out how to improve it.

Here are a few of the events happening in the environmental center this month:

Thursday Evening Yoga Series
Thursdays, January 5th, 12th, 19th and 26th at 6:15pm
This soothing exercise program, geared towards adults, is meant to unwind the body and soul before bedtime. We know it’s not on the educational side, but it’s a great way to relax and start treating your body well! Dress comfortably and bring your own mat. The cost is $40 for the whole series, so if you’re interested, make sure you sign up!

Birding Hike in Essex County Weequahic Park
Thursday, January 12th at 8:00am
What better way to start learning about the nature around you than by going on a hike? Not only will this walk give you a little morning exercise, but you’ll also get the opportunity to learn about wintering ducks, gulls and birds while searching for them. The trail around the lake is easy, so you can really take some time to absorb your surroundings. The cost is only $8.00 for non-members and $6.00 for members, so sign up today!

New Jersey Woodturners
Monday, January 23rd at 7:00pm
This activity is perfect for those of you with a creative side. Learn the wonders of turning ordinary pieces of wood into stunning works of art at this fun-filled workshop! This is a monthly program offered by the Essex Environmental Center, so if you have fun at the first one, you can go back for more! The cost is $8.00 for non-members and it’s free for members. Enjoy expressing your artistic talents through wood!

Going green doesn’t have to be all work and no play! These fun-filled activities at the Essex County Environmental Center will make learning about the environment fun. You can find some more events happening at the center this month right here.

As your Millburn-Short Hills real estate agent, I think it’s important to stay well-informed about what is happening in the community. It’s just another way that you can use me as a resource for all of your Millburn-Short Hills real estate needs. If you ever have any questions about buying or selling a home on the local market, don’t hesitate to contact me! I’d be happy to help you at any time. I hope to hear from you soon!

Elaine Pruzon
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage
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New Year, New Market For Millburn-Short Hills Home Sellers!

Believe it or not, 2012 is upon us! It's time to think about your plans for the upcoming year and take steps in the right direction. If you are thinking of selling your Millburn-Short Hills home during 2012, you may want to place it on the market soon! There are advantages in being a winter home seller, and I'll share what they are.

There are fewer homes on the market in January, so your home has a better chance of grabbing attention among serious buyers. With less competition, you won't be in a race to the bottom on price against homes with similar features. There are also fewer distressed properties to contend with this time of year.

Buyers who have been watching the market may be looking for a home like yours! But they won't wait forever. If you wait until spring to sell, they may find something else.

Corporate relocations are very active during the first quarter of the year. Relocation buyers are generally well-qualified and very motivated!

Home buyers who have mortgages pre-approved need to act before their financing offer expires. With interest rates very low at the moment, savvy shoppers are getting pre-approved now.

If you are concerned about moving while school is in session, keep in mind that the date of occupancy can be negotiated. Depending on the needs of buyers and sellers, sometimes an arrangement can be worked out to avoid disruption. You usually have one month between your accepted offer and the final closing. By the time all is said and done, you may need to negotiate occupancy for only a month or two. If you have concerns in this area, I can explain how it works in more detail.

As your Millburn-Short Hills real estate agent, I know our market quite well, and I understand what buyers are seeking among different price levels. If you are considering selling your home, give me a call and we'll talk about your needs. I'll be happy to give you information about the Millburn-Short Hills real estate market and plan for a successful sale.

Wishing you a happy and prosperous New Year,

Elaine Pruzon
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage
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Giving & Receiving Down Payment Gifts for a Millburn-Short Hills Home

It's often said that we have a buyer's market today, but in some ways it may be a lender's market. Banks have been very choosy about who qualifies for a mortgage, and for Millburn-Short Hills homebuyers, coming up with the down payment can pose a challenge.

Giving money to a close family member for the purchase of a home, with no strings attached, may either come naturally or seem counter-intuitive, depending on your views. If you are thinking of granting a monetary gift towards home ownership, here's a few things to consider first:

• Would you offer this same amount of money as a gift, if it were for any other purpose?
• Is your family member ready to take on the full responsibilities of home ownership?
• Will the amount of the gift cause any tax implications?
• Are you providing the gift out in good spirit, or out of a sense of obligation?

Having the means to help your family is a wonderful thing. But if making a cash gift could leave you in a lurch, or you have doubts about this being the appropriate time, then step back and evaluate the situation. Talk it over. There are also other ways to help, such as co-signing, or helping with furnishings, appliances and moving expenses.

If you are on the receiving end of a down payment gift, be sure to know the lender's documentation requirements. A notarized letter may be required, as well as proof of the funds transfer between accounts.

Depending on the type of mortgage loan you are seeking, the amount of gift you can use may vary. For example, if your loan is being structured for the secondary market with Freddie Mac, you may need to come up with at least 5% of the down payment using your own funds. 

If your loan is being backed by Fannie Mae, then all of your down payment can come from a gift. FHA loans also allow the entire down payment to come from a gift.

In all cases, covering the down payment is only one aspect of satisfying the loan criteria. Your credit score and debt to income ratio would still need to pass muster. 

As your Millburn-Short Hills real estate agent, I provide information like this as a part of my service to clients and the community. I can also tell you that there are many good opportunities for home ownership in the Millburn-Short Hills real estate market. Our location and quality of life continue to attract new buyers to our area. 

If you need help with your Millburn-Short Hills home search, or you are thinking of selling your Millburn-Short Hills home, I will be there to help you. I am truly passionate about what I do, and I would enjoy talking to you about your real estate needs. You are always welcome to contact me with your questions.

Wishing you all the best this holiday season,

Elaine Pruzon
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage
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Figure Out Your Financial Strategy Before Moving In To Your Millburn-Short Hills Home!

Beginning the search for a brand new home in the Millburn-Short Hills area is always an exciting time. Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer or have more experience with the buyer process, looking for a home is always brand-new territory. With the ever-changing conditions of the Millburn-Short Hills real estate market, it can be tricky to figure out what kind of properties are in your range financially at any given time. That is where a financial strategy comes in.

Before you even begin your home search or hire your Millburn-Short Hills real estate agent, you need to make sure that you have a plan for the financial aspect of the transaction. Purchasing a home is a rather large investment, so if there is any time to start planning your finances, this would be it. As an expert in the Millburn-Short Hills real estate industry, I have worked with several lenders and know exactly what financial documents need to be in order before a successful home sale. My many years of experience as an agent have allowed me to help several home buyers create a financial strategy of their own. Here are some tips and strategies that will help you figure out your budget BEFORE you start your Millburn-Short Hills home search:

•    Ask yourself these questions: How long do I plan to live in this house? Where do I see myself in five or ten years? Do I have to or want to make home improvements? Do I want to keep cash on hand for other investments? Can I take financial risks? Do I want to be debt free?

Is your head spinning yet? These questions might seem difficult to answer, but they’re also imperative to figuring out your loan options and financial philosophy. They force you to consider your long-term future and plan your finances accordingly. A house isn’t just something you can easily return after you buy it; it’s a large investment that you will want to maintain for a long time. It’s imperative that you know the answers to these questions before continuing your search for the perfect Millburn-Short Hills home.

•    Use mortgage calculators. It’s important to figure out your month-to-month costs for various mortgages before settling on the right mortgage loan and picking the right price point for your home. It also helps you figure out how much you’d have to pay in various scenarios.

•    Shop around for the best rates. Don’t accept the very first loan offer you get. Go to a few different lenders and see what the best rates are. You need to figure out the best deal for your financial situation and your family, so explore a few different options before settling on one.

•    Lower rate or higher rate? Are you willing to pay for points to get a low interest rate, or would you rather keep closing costs down by taking a higher rate? This is a key decision that needs to be made for your mortgage loan, so consider it carefully.

•    Create your perfect loan. Be a little flexible. Combine features of different loans to create one that you are most comfortable with. It’s also important to have a loan that still allows you to accomplish your long-term financial goals, so do your research, consult an industry expert and figure out which options best fit your situation.

•    Don’t forget about your other costs! Many times, Millburn-Short Hills homebuyers get so caught up in what the mortgage will be that they forget to factor in their other costs! Don’t forget about your homeowner’s association fees, property taxes and insurance coverage when embarking on your home search. Believe it or not, the costs of these items can take you from one price point to another, so make sure to factor them in to keep your search limited to affordable properties.

•    Ask about alternative loan terms. Everyone has a unique financial situation, and as a result, there are many unique loan options to fit each situation. Ask about lesser-known loans, such as 20-year options. These loans do exist, they’re just not as publicized by lenders. Don’t be afraid to ask your lender for some alternatives. This could help you to find the best possible loan for your situation.

If you’re overwhelmed by having to consider all of this information, don’t be! As an experienced Millburn-Short Hills real estate agent, I have become knowledgeable in several aspects of home financing, and I also have relationships with several local lenders that can help you figure out your next loan. Using this information to build a financial strategy will help you avoid financial difficulties and unforeseen costs when you begin the search for your Millburn-Short Hills home.

If you have any questions about what you need to buy a home in the Millburn-Short Hills area, or you want the name of a lender in the area, don’t hesitate to contact me! I’m available to help you at any time you need me, and I’d love to answer your questions. I hope to hear from you soon!

Elaine Pruzon
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage
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