Save Energy and Tax Dollars Too! New Federal Tax Incentives for Energy-Efficiency Home Improvements

I received this from NJ Gas and thought I'd pass this information on.
Save Energy and Tax Dollars Too!
New Federal Tax Incentives for Energy-Efficiency
Home Improvements

On February 17, 2009, President Obama signed a stimulus bill, The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, that made significant changes to the energy-efficiency tax credits. Tax credits that were previously effective for 2009 have been extended to 2010 and raised from 10 percent to 30 percent. The maximum credit was also raised from $500 to $1500 for the two years (2009-2010).*

Home improvements eligible under this act include:
Roofs
Insulation
Replacement windows and doors
High-efficiency heating and cooling systems
High-efficiency water heaters
Biomass stoves
There are also tax credits for geothermal heat pumps, solar water heaters, solar panels, windmills and fuel cells at 30 percent of the cost, without any upper limit. Click here for details and complete eligibility requirements.

So as spring approaches, remember those energy-saving home improvement projects can not only lower your energy bills and help conserve our natural resources, but also save you valuable tax dollars.

Tax credits for builders of new energy-efficient homes and designers of energy-efficient commercial buildings were also extended. Click here and scroll down to view the details.

*Additional incentives are available through New Jersey's Clean Energy Program.

Amazing Race from the Jersey Shore

This past Sunday I was walking the boards in Long Branch NJ takng advantage fo the wonderful weather I came across a group of girls gathered around 2 girls who were wearing only their bright pink tshirts. Curious I stopped to see what was going on on as one of the group was videoing these girls. Come to find out these two girsl from the Long Branch area presumably are applying to be on the amazing race.

So if you see them on the next season's show . YOU SAW IT HERE FIRST

2009-02-22-1018-44

From 2009-02-22-1018-44

Weekly Real EstateTalk Show Launched this weekend...

by the National Association of Realtor.

Beginning on February 14, satellite radio subscribers can hear Real Estate Today on America's Talk, XM Channel 158, Saturdays 5-7 p.m. EST; Talk Radio, XM Channel 165, Saturdays 1-3 p.m. EST; and Stars, Sirius-XM Channel 102, Saturdays 6-8 a.m. and Sundays 9-11 a.m. EST.

Real Estate Today will help build consumer confidence in the market and in the long-term value of real estate to help bring buyers back into the market. Real Estate Today will air online at www.RETRadio.com – visit the site anytime after the premiere to listen to current or past programs.

BREAKING NEWS Home Buyers Tax Credit Bill

A bill just passed the senate that will be a great way for buyers to BUY NOW!


Here are some of the things that this bill will do:



Provide a direct tax credit to any one who purchases any home!

Amount of the tax credit would equal 10% of the purchase price or $15,000, whichever is less

Purchses must be made within one year of this legislation being enacted

This tax credit would not to be repaid unlike the current tax credit

Taxpayers would be able to claim the credit on their 2008 income tax return

This will only apply to the purchase of a principal residence

The Credit would be recaptured if the home sold within two years of purchase

This would sunset the current $7,500 housing tax credit on the date of enactment



Check with your preferred mortgage specialist to find out what information they have on this exciting possibility.



Will Keep you posted

Fair Market Value of the White House...

Drops $23,000,000
Think your home value is down since 2005? Per estimates, this 16BR/35BA, 55,000 sqft home on 18 acres dropped a not-so-cool $23 million the past year, to a still not-to-be-sneezed-at $308,058,000. Think of the monthly payments! Since you mentioned it… With 20% down and a 30-year 5% mortgage, your monthly payment would run you $1,323,000/month. You might even have to take a second job.

Hope for Homeowners

FHA Mortgage Rescue Program

Part of the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008, passed in July 2008, includes provisions to help struggling homeowners replace their mortgages with 30-year fixed-rate loans backed by the Federal Housing Authority (FHA). Available from October 1, 2008 through September 30, 2011, the Hope for Homeowners program is designed to help homeowners who can no longer afford their monthly mortgage payments and have mortgages that exceed the market value of their homes.


Find Out More
More information about the Hope for Homeowners program is available online at www.HUD.gov (type “Hope for Homeowners” in the search window) or by calling (800) 225-5342. Both resources also offer information about the FHASecure program -- a program designed to help qualified homeowners who may be facing foreclosure due to an interest rate increase on their mortgage.

Real Estate is Local

The key to success this year is remembering that all real estate is local.

Grants To Help States Stabilize Housing Areas

The Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 provided $3.92 billion in supplemental Community Development Block Grant Funds to help states mitigate the harmful effects of foreclosures -- declining home values, increased crime, significant loss of investment -- in very hard-hit communities

For more information on how these neighborhood stabilization grants may affect your area, browse online to www.SaveAmericasNeighborhoods.org/fact_sheets.asp.

Be sure to check with your state and local governments to find out about any local programs set up to help homeowners, buyers and sellers.

Identity theft a growing problem

Identity theft a growing problem here are some contact numbers:Stolen Checks:National Check Fraud Service 843-571-2143Scan: 800-262-7771Tele Check 800-710-9898CheckRite: 800-766-2748CrossCheck:707-586-0551Equifax Cehxk Systems: 800-437-5120International Check Services:800-526-5380Stolen ATM card, get a new card, new account number and password.Fraudulent Change of Address: Notify Us Postal Inspector go to website for all numbershttp://www.usps.gov/postalinspectors Social Securty Number Comprimised: 800-269-0271 or website: http://www.ssa.gov/oig CREDIT BUREAUS:Equifax PO Box 105873 Atlanta Ga. 30348-5873Credit Report: 800-997-2493 Fraud Alert: 800-525-6285http://www.equifax.com Experian PO Box 949 Allen tx 75013-0949Credit Report: 888-397-3741Fraud Alert: 888-397-3742http://www.experian.com Trans Union PO Box 390 Springfield, Pa 19064-0390Credit Report: 800-916-8800Fraud Alert: 800-680-7289http://www.tuc.com

getting ready to go to a home inspection

just found a great website for those who wnat to declutter their homes like me. Not sure how it works looking into it. www.estatesales.net

78 Ironwood

Nancy and JIm in their New Town house. in Middletown.

To Realize...

To realize
The value of a sister
Ask someone
Who doesn't have one.

To realize
The value of ten years:
Ask a newly
Divorced couple.

To realize
The value of four years:
Ask a graduate.

To realize
The value of one year:
Ask a student who
Has failed a final exam.

To realize
The value of nine months:
Ask a mother who gave birth to a stillborn.

To realize
The value of one month:
Ask a mother
who has given birth to
A premature baby.

To realize
The value of one week:
Ask an editor of a weekly newspaper.
To realize
The value of one minute:
Ask a person
Who has missed the train, bus or plane.

To realize
The value of one-second:
Ask a person
Who has survived an accident.

Time waits for no one.

Treasure every moment you have.

You will treasure it even more when
you can share it with someone special.

To realize the value of a friend or family member:
LOSE ONE.

Remember ... Hold on tight to the ones you Love !


The origin of this letter is unknown,
But it brings good ' vibes' to everyone.
Peace, love and prosperity to all!

Trip to Las Vegas

I just won a trip to Las Vegas because of my Real Estate sales from last year! I sold around $10,000,000 (million) in sales in 2006 and they said it was a correction year!.
I have never been to Vegas so this was my first time. I never realized how much walking I would do. We were put up at the Mandalay Bay what a great hotel reminded me of the Atlantis Hotel in the Bahamas. I was warned there would be some walking but not like. It was basically a 1/4 mile from the lobby to the conference rooms each time. so you figure once in the morning, lunch and dinner and then back for the evening events.

Las Vegas Laser show

The first day I got there it was 10 am their time 1pm my time. We all ended staying up 28 hours between the time change the parties.

The next 2 days we went to seminars which were very informative and good way to jazz the new year up. I took my brand new camera along to test it out so here are the results of my stay in Las Vegas.

3 Universal Truths about The Perfect Hue

What does your favorite color say about you? 3 Universal Truths about picking paint.
1
Color is the leasr expensive way to transform living space. A well chosen color can either calm the room or invigorate the space.

2
There is NO such thing as bad color! There are only likes and dislikes. Color is like spice to food adding zest.
Cool hues such as blue, violet and green are calming and relaxing. Pick these colors for reading rooms, bedrooms and rooms for contemplation.
Warmer hues such as red, yello and orange are energetci, playful colors. Use these in dining rooms, living rooms, working areas and kitchens.
Keep in mind the intensity of the color can invert the color's effect. While a pastel blue can be quiet and relaxing, bright turquoise can be loud an stimulating.

3
Never let color guidelines limit choices. If Red is your favorite color, then go ahead drench your bedroom with it. The payoff is that the mood boost you'll get will compensate it's limited calming effect. Don't shy away from mixing colors , just make sure they complement one another when going from room to room or the colors are carried in any form in the other rooms. For example if your dining room is red and adjacent is your living room have something red in the living, a lamp shade, pillow, piece of furniture and if your living room is blue then have something carried over in the dining that may have something blue such as drapes, tablecloth etc. When you prefer neutrals be sure to accent them with burnt orange, black, brown, red, green or gold so as to avoid monotony.

An Irish Blessing

May you always have walls for the winds, a roof for the rain,
tea beside the fire, laughter to cheer you, those you love near you,
and all your heart might desire.

May the road rise to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back,
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
The rains fall soft upon your fields and, Until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

May you have love that never ends,
lots of money, and lots of friends.
Health be yours, whatever you do,
and may God send many blessings to you!

May the sun shine, all day long,
everything go right, and nothing wrong.
May those you love bring love back to you,
and may all the wishes you wish come true!

May your feet never sweat,
your neighbor give you ne're a treat.
When flowers bloom, I hope you'll not sneeze,
and may you always have someone to sqeeze!

(as sent to me from Ralph Roberts)

Back from LasVegas

The Best Just Got Better!!!
Now more than ever I am ready to serve you and your needs in Real Estate. The conference has helped to regenerate me and help serve you better.So Let me know what is going on with you. Where do you stand regarding real estate? Have you set it aside? Have you purchased already? If so, what did I not do right by you? What could I have or do better for your needs? I am very interested in hearing the good, the bad and the ugly. That is the only way my services can be better for you.
Also just got back from the Otteau seminar, a prominent market analyst for Real Estate. What he put into words backs up my statistics on my website.
The market is gearing for a recovery! Slow and Steady. The next 90 days will be the best time to purchase because everything is level. The interest rates are still the BEST IN 35 YEARS! The prices have leveled.
January and February has already seen a 5% to 10% increase in activity. Yes there is alot of inventory however, what this means to you is that when the house is NOT overpriced it will go quickly.
For Sellers, right now is the time to price your house by looking at YOUR lowest price competitor on the market and underpricing them. Statisitics have shown that when you do that you will sell quickly within around 50 days and at around 97% of your asking price. If you set your price high, then you will be on the market longer and when you do sell you will get about 94% of your asking price. So PRICING is still an issue.
For Buyers, right now is a good time because the rates are still at an all time low, the prices have leveled out and there is alot to choose from, however because the market has become active, sellers are becoming much firmer at their asking price. Bargain Hunting is NOT an option now.Right Pricing for both Seller and Buyer is the buzz.
No longer interested in getting MLS updates or emails from me please let me know and I will do my best to get you off all of MY lists. I DO NOT sell, rent or give your names out to others, because I have many websites and databases it takes me a while to get you deleted so please be patient I will do as you ask.
Thank you for staying loyal with me and allowing me to help you with your real estate needs.

My Brain is Full

This says it all for me from Far Side.
Since October every Monday and Wednesday I have been going to broker class to study and apply for my broker's license.
Don't you already have that? you may ask.
The answer is that I have my Real Estate Sales Associate license.
By getting my Broker's License that will allow me to either continue selling in my current office with my current Broker or I can choose to open my own office and have Sales Associates working for me. While I have considered the thought and it has been tantalizing currently I do not think I am ready for it. Lastly I can work as a Manager overseeing sales associates and doing everything as if it were my own office except I do not have the financial obligations, however my obligations then are to the owner of the company. Also this opens doors for other opportunities.
The reason I chose to pursue this grueling course is for my personal benefit, enlightenment and ultimately for the consumer, who will benefit by my continuing my education. When doors of opportunities open as a result of this so much the better.
So now everyday I am taking 3 hours of practice tests as I wait for the paperwork from the state to come back and allows me to go for the state testing.
IN the meantime as a result of having a great 2006 I ahve won an award and am going to the Coldwell Banker International Conference which is being held this year in Las Vegas. Never been there and am a little apprehensive about it. The postive is I will meet other Sales Associates from other parts of the nation and get to brain storm (oops) maybe not, about what is happening in their neck of the woods.
I promise to let you know what I find.

THE NEW JERSEY SCHOOL REPORT CARD FOR 2006

WELCOME TO THE NEW JERSEY SCHOOL REPORT CARD FOR 2006 for Monmouth County click on link below

http://education.state.nj.us/rc/rc06/menu/25.html

January 1 to January 31 2007 Homes Active and Sold

Atlantic Highlands:
Total Homes on Market 41
Number of Just Listed this month: 11
Average List Price $785,922
Number of Closed Sales for the month: 4
Average Days on Market: 74
Ratio of sale price to list price: 94%
Median Closed Price: $445,000
Homes Expired in the month 1

Fair Haven:
Total Homes on Market 38
Number of Just Listed this month: 8
Average List Price $696450
Number of Closed Sales for the month: 5
Average Days on Market: 59
Ratio of sale price to list price: 95.01%
Median Closed Price: $585,000
Homes Expired in the month 4

Little Silver:
Total Homes on Market 44
Number of Just Listed this month: 15
Average List Price $1,134,220
Number of Closed Sales for the month: 5
Average Days on Market: 119
Ratio of sale price to list price: 97.61%
Median Closed Price: $550,000
Homes Expired in the month 2

Middletown:
Total Homes on Market 402
Number of Just Listed this month: 130
Average List Price $550,274
Number of Closed Sales for the month: 35
Average Days on Market: 103
Ratio of sale price to list price: 95.67%
Median Closed Price: $400,000
Homes Expired in the month 51

Oceanport:
Total Homes on Market 40
Number of Just Listed this month: 12
Average List Price $724,383
Number of Closed Sales for the month: 1
Average Days on Market: 163
Ratio of sale price to list price: 92.59 %
Median Closed Price: $999,000
Homes Expired in the month 3

Monmouth Beach:
Total Homes on Market 32
Number of Just Listed this month: 7
Average List Price $961,829
Number of Closed Sales for the month: 1
Average Days on Market: 179
Ratio of sale price to list price: 87.44%
Median Closed Price: $550,000
Homes Expired in the month 5

Red Bank:
Total Homes on Market 55
Number of Just Listed this month: 14
Average List Price $582,886
Number of Closed Sales for the month: 6
Average Days on Market: 61
Ratio of sale price to list price: 93.49%
Median Closed Price: $350,000
Homes Expired in the month 3

Rumson:
Total Homes on Market 106
Number of Just Listed this month: 40
Average List Price 1,462,542
Number of Closed Sales for the month: 6
Average Days on Market: 100
Ratio of sale price to list price: 94.33%
Median Closed Price: $1,566,750
Homes Expired in the month 14

Sea Bright:
Total Homes on Market 15
Number of Just Listed this month: 2
Average List Price $669,000
Number of Closed Sales for the month: 2
Average Days on Market: 186
Ratio of sale price to list price: 98.44%
Median Closed Price: $629,500
Homes Expired in the month 3

Highlands:
Total Homes on Market 46
Number of Just Listed this month: 7
Average List Price $363,414
Number of Closed Sales for the month: 3
Average Days on Market: 128
Ratio of sale price to list price: 91.51%
Median Closed Price: $475,000
Homes Expired in the month 5

Spring Lake:
Total Homes on Market 76
Number of Just Listed this month: 23
Average List Price $2,422,909
Number of Closed Sales for the month: 7
Average Days on Market: 129
Ratio of sale price to list price: 93.27%
Median Closed Price: $1,368,000
Homes Expired in the month 8

Tinton Falls:
Total Homes on Market 63
Number of Just Listed this month: 10
Average List Price $469,179
Number of Closed Sales for the month: 12
Average Days on Market: 99
Ratio of sale price to list price: 95.46%
Median Closed Price: $466,250
Homes Expired in the month 5

Based on single family homes.

If you would like to see more stats on other towns either go to www.monmouthcountymarketwatch.com
or email me.

PIN NUMBER REVERSAL (GOOD TO KNOW)

PIN NUMBER REVERSAL (GOOD TO KNOW)

If you should ever be forced by a robber to withdraw money from an ATM
machine, you can notify the police by entering your Pin # in reverse.

For example if your pin number is 1234 then you would put in 4321. The
ATM recognizes that your pin number is backwards from the ATM card you
placed in the machine.


The machine will still give you the money you requested, but unknown to
the robber, the police will be immediately dispatched to help you.

This information was recently broadcasted on TV and it states that it
is seldom used because people don't know it exists.

Just thought this may be of interest to everyone.