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Real Estate Update |
November 2011Nov. 6 -- Daylight Saving Time Ends |
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Why List Your Home with Realtor Bob?Seven Reasons to List your Home with Realtor Bob Most Realtors spend their commission dollars on acquiring new business, but spend as little as possible on that business. I do things exactly the opposite. We spend dollars and effort to make sure our listings sell. Here is our detailed Strategic Marketing Plan. These techniques are market tested and the key to getting our listings SOLD. 1. INTERNET PRESENCE – Each one of our listings is displayed on the #1 Ranked Websites, RE/MAX.com and JerseyShore-HomeSearch.com. With well over 10,000 visitors a month, your listing will have maximum exposure. Since 90% of buyers use the internet to search for a home, you want to list your home with a Realtor that has the best Internet presence. We also place your home on all the other top sites, including Realtor.com, Trulia, Zillow, and many more. 2. PRICING - We know that if a home is priced wrong, nothing else will make a difference. The first thing we do is price your home correctly. We will provide you with information from the MLS system, reviewing each listing FOR SALE personally to see how it compares. We want to make sure we get the full value for your home by pricing to the current market; we can get the maximum price in the minimum time. 3. MAGAZINE AD UNTIL SOLD – Your home will be displayed in one of our many Magazines each month until SOLD. You will receive a copy each month of your AD so you will never wonder where or when your home is being advertised. 4. STAGING – We will go through the house with a fine-tooth comb. We then review what needs to be repaired, painted, cleaned and redecorated; utilizing your furnishings. We make sure our listings are as turn-key as possible; this competitive market demands it. 5. PHOTOGRAPHY – The language of real estate is photography. After we stage your home, we will photograph every inch of your home with a wide angle lens to make sure we have dozens of photos to chose from including everything from the interior and exterior to the neighborhood and nearby homes. The photos are used in the MLS, on our websites, on the web log, and in print advertising. Picture quality is the most important aspect of selling a home. 6. SOCIAL NETWORKING - The power of social networking cannot be understated. We post your listing on Facebook, Twitter, Craigslist, and many more. 7. WE SERVICE OUR LISTINGS – Getting an offer is only the beginning of a successful transaction. Making sure you have an experienced Top Producing Agent to handle the many details and surprise situations is the key to closing. Don't leave your biggest asset in the hands of a part-time or inexperienced agent. Click Here or call me at 609-290-1186 to schedule an appointment. I’m looking forward to being your Agent for Change. |
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~ Franklin D. Roosevelt |
Home Sales Slow But Better Than Last YearAccording to the National Association of Realtors® existing-home sales were down in September on the heels of a strong gain in August, but remain well above a year ago. Total existing-home sales, which include single-family, townhomes, condominiums and co-ops, declined 3.0 percent to a seasonally-adjusted annual rate of 4.91 million in September from an upwardly revised 5.06 million in August, but are 11.3 percent above the 4.41 million unit pace in September 2010. “Existing-home sales have bounced around this year, staying relatively close to the current level in most months,” said NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun, adding that there is plenty of room for improvement. “The irony is affordability conditions have improved to historic highs and more creditworthy borrowers are trying to purchase homes, but the share of contract failures is double the level of September 2010. Even so, the volume of successful buyers is higher than a year ago and is remaining fairly stable – this speaks to an unfulfilled demand.” The national average commitment rate for a 30-year, conventional, fixed-rate mortgage fell to a record low 4.11 percent in September, down from 4.27 percent in August; the rate was 4.35 percent in September 2010 according to a recent Freddie Mac report. |
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Spend the afternoon. You can't take it with you. |
Create a Welcoming Environment for Potential Home-BuyersSelling a piece of property in a down market can pose many obstacles, but with a few easy tricks, you can give your house that extra something prospective buyers are looking for. We’ve all heard that a fresh coat of paint goes a long way, and that will always hold true, but beyond freshening the walls, what can buyers who visit your house expect? Give them the ability to see your house as a blank slate. Following are a few ideas. Start simply. You’ve probably already de-cluttered and dusted, but how much of what you see is personal to you? Taking down family photos, unique pieces of art, and even report cards from the fridge depersonalizes your space. This is important because -- and this is your ultimate goal -- it will soon be someone else’s space. Neutralize your environment. Not only do neutral colors help open a house to infinite potential, but your other senses should remain fairly neutral, as well. Does one of your neighbors often have loud music playing? Make sure those windows are closed to minimize the noise. Do you have a hobby that uses strong smelling chemicals? Clean them up thoroughly and consider deodorizing the space. If you have pets, ensure that you minimize animal smells; the signs of an animal in a home can deter many buyers, even animal-lovers. Does your basement have that slightly musty basement odor? Invest in a quality dehumidifier at your local home store and keep it running at night and during rainy days at the bare minimum. The mustiness will dissipate and help potential buyers see your basement as extra storage and possibly even an additional room. Try lighting schemes that highlight room dimensions. You may have your lights placed specifically for usability, but a potential buyer might want the space for another purpose. Move a lamp you use for reading to show off the height of your ceilings instead; you could turn an office into a buyer’s dream den. Keep in mind that it's sometimes the smallest changes that can offer the edge your home may need to attract potential buyers viewing your home. As always, keep it clutter free during the selling process and you will hopefully sell your home quickly. TOP |
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Shared joy is a double joy; shared sorrow is half a sorrow. |
Your Retreat Is Only Steps AwayMaking time and having the money for a relaxing trip to the spa isn’t possible for everyone. You can, however, turn your bathroom into a mini-retreat on a shoestring budget with this ABC of at-home spa creation. Aim for Artful -- Incorporate the aspects of your personal style that you embrace fully. If you love Paris, consider framing your own photos from your college trip along the Champs-Elysees. If you collect beach stones, place them strategically on shelves and in small dishes along the sink and tub. Hanging interesting frames with old postcards, a beautiful landscape, or even a vintage newspaper ad inside can create a new and unique look for your spa. Keeping toiletries such as cotton swabs and tissues in quirky containers that express who you are can give your bathroom that extra bit of personality that makes it truly yours. Buy in Bulk, Buy for Beauty -- Visit the big box stores in your area and stock up on some of your pampering favorites: lotions, scrubs, shampoos, and scented candles can all be bought for amazing deals in bulk. Towels, washcloths, and even robes can be purchased in larger quantities on the cheap, as well. Also consider picking up a supply of your favorite nail polish shades or a special mud mask splurge at your local pharmacy. Having such things on hand will allow you to retreat any time you need. Consider Color -- Choose a paint color that you find deeply soothing. Select a paint whose price you find equally soothing. Because bathrooms tend to have less wall-space, a less expensive paint from your local home store is often cheaper and not much more work than the designer brands. Think green and consider incorporating plants into your new at-home spa. Some plants thrive in a bathroom with little or no attention from you. Spider plants, aloe vera, and bamboo varieties do well in the steamy, moist bathroom, and could help you truly retreat into your own mini-paradise. |
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I don't believe in astrology; I'm a Sagittarius and we're skeptical. |
Trivia ChallengeQuestion
1.) What is the name of the first resort built along Las Vegas Blvd. South, also known as "The Strip." Question
2.) This author, who was wounded on Guadalcanal during WWII, wrote "From Here to Eternity" and "The Thin Red Line"? Question
3.) Which satirical and nerdy singer was a high school valedictorian and holds a bachelor's degree in architecture? Question
4.) In the movie, "Slumdog Millionaire," how did the main character, Jamal Malik, know the answer to the last question? Question
5.) About 500 years ago this point at the southernmost tip of Africa was known as the Cape of Storms. What do we call it today? |
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Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgement that something else is more important than fear. |
Three Immunity-Boosters You Already Have in Your KitchenAs winter approaches, so does cold and flu season. Keep yourself and your family healthy with these vitamin-rich foods you probably already have at home. Vitamin C is absolutely the best immune-system booster around. This amazing vitamin boosts white blood cell production, the cell on the front-lines of fighting infection, and it also has been shown to lower your risk of cardiovascular diseases and some cancers. Yet, you don’t need to stock up on supplements or orange juice to get your daily dose of this virus-killing vitamin. Broccoli, hot and regular peppers, dark leafy greens like kale, and sweet fruits like kiwi fruit, guava, and strawberries all contain plenty of Vitamin C. As a water-soluble vitamin, it’s important to spread your intake of Vitamin C throughout the day, every day, but with such a wide variety of foods rich in this vitamin, you can easily incorporate more C in every meal. Garlic is a staple in most spice cabinets, and it is also fabulous at boosting your immune system. Like Vitamin C, garlic helps increase the production of white blood cells, and it also has been shown to be a really effective anti-oxidant. You can easily add garlic to many meals, but for those who are not fans of this flavorful spice, there are scent- and taste-free garlic supplements that are available in your local market. Fish and seafood can pack an amazing one-two punch of immune system supplements. Rich in omega-3 fatty acids and the mineral selenium, fish can add extra healthfulness to your meal. Omega-3s have been shown to lower the risk of infections, particularly of the respiratory varieties, as well as reduce your susceptibility to bacterial invaders. Selenium, also found in foods like egg yolks, cottage cheese, and brown rice, can reduce your risk of certain cancers, as well as raise levels of white blood cells. Replace the chicken or beef in one of your family’s weekly meals with fish or crack open that can of tuna to help incorporate more of these terrific immune-boosters into your diet. TOP |
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It ain't what they call you, it's what you answer to. |
November Movie Releases
*Opening dates may vary depending on where you live. |
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Believe those who are seeking the truth. Doubt those who find it. |
Moist and Tasty TurkeyIngredients
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Wine Pairing
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Learn all you can from the mistakes of others. You won't have time to make them all yourself. |
Experience Three London Spots Like a LocalDr. Samuel Johnson, of English dictionary fame, once said, “When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life.” Indeed, London, England is one of the world’s foremost tourist destinations. Offering up a rich pastiche of world history, diverse cultures, and modern politics, London is home to some of the most well-known tourist spots in the world. From the Tower of London to Buckingham Palace, from Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum to the National Gallery at Trafalgar Square, you can visit places that have shaped world history and pop culture. And though they are not to be missed, there are many lesser-known gems in London that offer a better view of London life, not just London tourism. The Lamb and Flag is a pub in the West End of London (Leicester tube stop). Tiny, discreet, and sandwiched at the meeting of three streets, the Lamb and Flag is the oldest pub in Covent Garden and has held license on the same spot since 1623. With its central location, this pub is a great meeting spot and one of the best places in London to grab a pint on a hot day. And for the literary buffs, it’s rumored that Charles Dickens enjoyed a pint here from time to time. Eat like a true Londoner: have Indian! You might be told to head to Brick Lane for the best in Indian, Pakistani, and Bangladeshi cuisine, but Whitechapel and a curry house called Tayyabs are where it’s at. With mouth-watering offerings and lines of locals that often wrap around the block, if you love Indian or want to try it for the first time, definitely seek out Tayyabs (Whitechapel tube stop). See how the other half live from the Roof Gardens (Gloucester Road tube stop). Just down Derry Street through a door labeled “99 Kensington High Street,” you can take the lift (that is, the elevator) to the largest roof garden in Europe. Breathtaking in its own right and offering spectacular views of the city, the Roof Gardens are open to the public unless booked by a private party. And if you’re a bit peckish and feeling flush, you can have lunch or dinner at Babylon, the restaurant that operates on the roof and overlooks the gardens. |
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| Click here to unsubscribe Robert McLaughlin & Julie A. Willis 221 Lacey Road Forked River, NJ 08731 This eNewsletter contains information, facts and opinions from various individuals and organizations. This eNewsletter is provided on an "as-is" basis without warranties of any kind, either express or implied. I/We are not responsible for any errors or omissions. Consult with your doctor, fitness consultant, attorney, accountant, or other professional advisor when necessary. © 2011 eNewsletterSolutions.  |
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