RealtorIrene Blogs about Northwestern NJ Real Estate - Hunterdon & Warren

For the first time, I just pulled together what I believe are a segment of Sussex County NJ's "Hot 10 homes for sale". There are so many great values and bargain prices right now, it was hard to narrow them down.

While a fair number of these are short sales and bank-owned foreclosures (REOs), not all are distressed properties in Sussex County NJ. A few require a lot of work because I have buyers seeking such, but many are in move-in condition. Some are new listings, others ones that recently hit my own value criteria.

My "hot 10 homes for sale in Sussex NJ" are the ones for which I'll suggest my buyers include in our upcoming house-hunting appointments. Given my current buyers' goals, many of these hot 10 are in Sussex County NJ lake communities, including Sparta's Lake Mohawk.  All, however, I view as bargain priced for what is offered.

Not all meet each requirement of those to whom I'll be showing houses in the next week, but I think there is at least 1 each party will insist on adding to our roster! I'm betting some of my buyers will want make offers on these Hot 10 homes for sale Sussex County NJ - Bargain-priced houses!

Copyright © 2010, Irene Kennedy, all rights reserved. This blog post represents Irene's personal musings.

Irene Kennedy, who is a NJ real estate agent with Weichert, Realtors, lives in Sussex County & works from the Hamburg office. Her primary market includes: Augusta, Branchville, Crystal Springs, Frankford, Franklin, Hamburg, Hampton, Hardyston, Highland Lakes, Lake Mohawk, Newton, Ogdensburg, Scenic Lakes, Sparta, Stockholm, Sussex, Vernon, Wantage.

Please join me a bit on Sunday, January 17, 2010 between noon and 3:00 p.m. I'll be hosting an Open House at 11 Worthington Road, Frankford-Branchville NJ. The estate has done tons of work getting this ranch home ready for the Sussex County market.

Estate Sale - 11 Worthington Road, Renovated ranch home for sale Frankford-Branchville NJ has a video link of the interior of this house while:

Wonderful Ranch Home in Frankford-Branchville - Sussex County NJ - Vacation Property Potential too gives the lay of the land. 

Again, Open House, Sunday, Jan. 17 from noon until 3:00. And I'll have details of all the improvements that have been done on the Frankford ranch house for sale!

Hope to meet you there!

Copyright © 2010, Irene Kennedy, all rights reserved. This blog post represents Irene's personal musings.

Considering selling a vacation home or looking to buy a Sussex County NJ getaway property? This is one that you should see. 

Irene Kennedy, who is a NJ real estate agent with Weichert, Realtors, lives in Sussex County & works from the Hamburg office. Irene's contact data is to the right.

Given the great Sussex County NJ ski season, I'm fielding countless questions from potential buyers of Great Gorge Village condos. Some of these homes for sale are Short Sales or Foreclosures. This neighborhood is nestled at Mountain Creek ski resort - a plus - and located within the same complex as Minerals Resort & Spa, I have a Short Sale listed. No wonder so many folks are considering vacation homes for sale in Sussex County!

Back in April 2009, I posted some Great Gorge Village market data that received many, many views. As my current potential buyers deserve an update, I figured I'd one again share with all! Whether you're working with me or even another real estate agent, I believe you should have up-to-date information upon which to base your decisions.

My data and analysis are based on information from the Garden State MLS system.

As of January 10, 2010:

All Great Gorge Village NJ condo units, regardless of size (studios, 1 bedroom and larger)

• Active homes for sale - 59 units with an average list price of $214,040.
• Under Contract - 5 units with average list price of $185,340.
• Sold/Closed within last 12 months - 33 units. Average list was $140,989 but average sold price $131,977. Means sale price was about 93% of asking price (at time of sale, not original list prices). Same List-Sale ratio as April 2009. Quite a few of these sales were distressed - short sales or foreclosures in Great Gorge Village.

2 beds, 2+ baths - Great Gorge Village Interior & end units, 4 & 5 rooms

• Actives - 36 units with average list price of $177,115.
• Under Contract - 5 units with average list of $185,340
• Sold/Closed within last 12 months - 15 units. Average list $170,786, average sold price $162,503. (94%)

End units only - all shapes & sizes in Great Gorge Village

• Active listings - 17 units, average asking $221,952.
• Under Contract - 2 units, average list $184,450. 
• Sold/Closed within last 12 months - 13 end units. List averaged $155,873; sold $144,742. (93%)

 2010 Sold/Closed in Great Gorge Village

None reported as of 1/10/2010.

CONDOs for Sale Vernon NJ, includes Great Gorge Village

I'd be delighted to help you with your Sussex County NJ real estate needs, so please do not hesitate to contact me!

Copyright © 2010, Irene Kennedy, all rights reserved. This blog post represents Irene's personal musings.

Considering selling a vacation home or looking to buy a Sussex County NJ getaway property? Lots of ski condos and other options are available to you. Benefit from creative marketing, top negotiating skills and vast real estate knowledge by contacting Irene via the data to the right.

Irene Kennedy, who is a NJ real estate agent with Weichert, Realtors, lives in Sussex County & works from the Hamburg office. Her primary market includes: Augusta, Branchville, Crystal Springs, Frankford, Franklin, Hamburg, Hampton, Hardyston, Highland Lakes, Lake Mohawk, Newton, Ogdensburg, Scenic Lakes, Sparta, Stockholm, Sussex, Vernon, Wantage.

As Sparta may well be Sussex County NJ's most popular real estate, let's take a peek at some solid market data on home sales. While for this report I haven't broken out Lake Mohawk separately, I often do so when working with sellers and buyers in the area.

In fact, I'm trying very hard to find the right, well-priced Lake Mohawk homes for sale for a variety of potential buyers. As these folks are seeking Sussex County vacation properties, their needs are quite different from those looking for a residence! I'm very determined to help each of these buyers find that right lake home in Sparta. But I digress...

I've based the following Sparta NJ market report graphs on GSMLS data: "Info. deemed RELIABLE but not GUARANTEED."

Average price for home sold in Sparta in 2009 was $440,583.

 Reinforcing what I said about Sparta's popularity, the 2009 average sale price for a Sussex County NJ home was $268,762. Now, there are umpteen reasons to explain the big difference. These are best covered face to face.

Copyright © 2010, Irene Kennedy, all rights reserved. This blog post represents Irene's personal musings.

Considering selling a home or looking to buy in Sparta or another Sussex County NJ area? Benefit from creative marketing, top negotiating skills and vast real estate knowledge by contacting Irene via the data to the right.

Given the number of real estate deals on which I'm currently working in Vernon NJ, I thought it would be interesting for both home sellers and buyer to have an overview of 2009 market data for this Sussex County NJ area. The following include the very popular sections of Highland Lakes and Great Gorge Village, as well as the Vernon portion of Scenic Lakes NJ.

Many of my potential home buyers looking in Vernon NJ are seeking vacation properties, either a ski condo or a lake community home. Despite what some think about a lack of lookers during the winter, I'm showing Vernon's well-priced homes for sale without a slowdown! Well-priced being the key to buyer's interest...

I've based the following Vernon NJ market report graphs on GSMLS data: "Info. deemed RELIABLE but not GUARANTEED."

The average price for home sold in Vernon Township in 2009 was $199,654.

Compared to the 2009 average price for Sussex County NJ - $268,762 - Vernon appears to be a huge bargain. Keep in mind, however, that many of the Vernon sales were small condos, hotel units or cabins in lake communities. Makes a big difference, one which I help all my real estate clients understand.

Copyright © 2010, Irene Kennedy, all rights reserved. This blog post represents Irene's personal musings.

Considering selling a vacation home or looking to buy a Sussex County NJ getaway property? Benefit from creative marketing, top negotiating skills and vast real estate knowledge by contacting Irene via the data to the right. 

Irene Kennedy, who is a NJ real estate agent with Weichert, Realtors, lives in Sussex County & works from the Hamburg office. Her primary market includes: Augusta, Branchville, Crystal Springs, Frankford, Franklin, Hamburg, Hampton, Hardyston, Highland Lakes, Lake Mohawk, Newton, Ogdensburg, Scenic Lakes, Sparta, Stockholm, Sussex, Vernon, Wantage.

The estate for this 3 bedroom ranch home for sale in Sussex County NJ completed the last bit of work this week, so it is now ready for us to have a look!  Because Frankford (Branchville zip) is not just around the corner for many buyers considering vacation properties 50 or so miles from New York City, I thought I'd post a video showing the interior of 11 Worthington Road.

Update mid-March 2010: This Frankford NJ ranch home for sale is now professionally staged.

For more details on this great home for sale near 3 Sussex County lake communities and the video on the exterior of 11 Worthington Road, see my post: Wonderful Ranch Home in Frankford-Branchville - Sussex County NJ - Vacation Property Potential too

I am planning to do an Open House at 11 Worthington Road, Frankford-Branchville NJ very soon but I'm awaiting a favorable weather forecast. Check back or call me - we don't have to await a clear Sunday to see this totally renovated ranch home for sale!

Copyright © 2010, Irene Kennedy, all rights reserved. This blog post represents Irene's personal musings.

Irene Kennedy, who is a NJ real estate agent with Weichert, Realtors, lives in Sussex County & works from the Hamburg office. Her primary market includes: Augusta, Branchville, Crystal Springs, Frankford, Franklin, Hamburg, Hampton, Hardyston, Highland Lakes, Lake Mohawk, Newton, Ogdensburg, Scenic Lakes, Sparta, Stockholm, Sussex, Vernon, Wantage.

This unit sold on May 20 for $30,000.

Update February 8, 2010 - This Minerals Resort condo in Vernon NJ went under contract last week. There are still other vacation properties for sale around Great Gorge Village and Mountain Creek, so let me know if you'd like information about some of the options available to you!

********************** End Update **********************

This pre-foreclosure vacation condo at Minerals Resort Hotel and Spa in Vernon NJ is listed for sale at just $36000.  Minerals Resort is within the Great Gorge Village compound, nestled at the Mountain Creek ski slopes and home of the acclaimed Minerals Golf Course. Sussex County NJ is also a golf paradise with may other local golf courses - Crystal Springs, Ballyowen, Wild Turkey, Great Gorge, Cascades and Black Bear. Street address is 2 Chamonix Drive, Vernon, NJ.

Income Potential through Minerals Resort's optional condo Rental Pool

The current owner shared his rental statistics, which show that his portion of the 2008 rental-pool income more than covered the annual taxes and maintenance fees on this Minerals Hotel vacation property! Based on his 2009 documentation, rentals of this Minerals Resort getaway condo in Vernon NJ appear equally robust this year. Of course, no guarantees can be made about future rentals, the management's apportionment of such income down the line, etc.

Moreover, you could opt not to have your Minerals Resort condo be part of the rental pool at all. Especially as this Vernon hotel-style condo is a Short Sale, you may want to keep every weekend open for you, family, friends, employees, etc. Sussex County NJ is a year-round vacation destination, just about 50 miles from New York City.

Take a peek at my series on Sussex County NJ Vacation Homes & Resort Properties for Sale or just enjoy the video on this Minerals Hotel preforeclosure condo:

Copyright © 2009, Irene Kennedy, all rights reserved. This blog post represents Irene's personal musings.

Irene Kennedy, who is a NJ real estate agent with Weichert, Realtors, lives in Sussex County& works from the Hamburg office. Her primary market includes: Augusta, Branchville, Crystal Springs, Frankford, Franklin, Hamburg, Hampton, Hardyston, Highland Lakes, Lake Mohawk, Newton, Ogdensburg, Scenic Lakes, Sparta, Stockholm, Sussex, Vernon, Wantage.

11 Worthington Road, Frankford NJ, is a totally renovated 3 bedroom, 1 bath ranch home for sale at just $239,900. Given a shared zip code it sometimes is cited as Branchville real estate; see Google Maps. Located very near Culver Lake, Lake Owassa and Kittatinny Lake, this will appeal to many considering Sussex County vacation properties, as well as full-time residents.

Update mid-March 2010: This Frankford-Branchville NJ ranch home for sale is now professionally staged.

New incentive Feb. 11: Choose your Washer/Dryer or Fridge for this Ranch Home for sale Frankford-Branchville NJ

My experience is that renovated ranch homes for sale in Sussex County NJ are highly sought by:

• Downsizing buyers who have tired of fixing up homes;
• First-time home buyers with little knowledge or time for "sweat equity";
• Those wanting a lower-maintenance single-family home near one of Sussex County NJ's lake communities.

Freshly painted with new carpet throughout, 11 Worthington Road, Frankford-Branchville NJ is a gem. Given the heirs paid for a new septic system and water filtration system in the last couple months, potential buyers will be delighted with the documented improvements and certifications - as well as the attractive pricing.

I'm extra excited because this is the first listing directly stemming from my blogging about Sussex County NJ real estate. I'm about to work on the video of the interior and will be posting it soon.

If you're not yet working with an agent: for your Sussex County NJ requirements, please contact me directly to help you with 11 Worthington Road, Frankford-Branchville NJ - or any other real estate need!

Vacation Properties in Sussex County NJ

Copyright © 2009, Irene Kennedy, all rights reserved. This blog post represents Irene's personal musings.

Considering selling a vacation home or looking to buy a Sussex County NJ getaway property or ski condo? Benefit from creative marketing, top negotiating skills and vast real estate knowledge by contacting Irene Kennedy via the data to the right.

Irene Kennedy, who is a NJ real estate agent with Weichert, Realtors, lives in Sussex County & works from the Hamburg office. Her primary market includes: Augusta, Branchville, Crystal Springs, Frankford, Franklin, Hamburg, Hampton, Hardyston, Highland Lakes, Lake Mohawk, Newton, Ogdensburg, Scenic Lakes, Sparta, Stockholm, Sussex, Vernon, Wantage.

On Tuesday, December 29, my buyers finally closed on 121 Creek Road - a fabulous 70-acre farm in Pohatcong. The property in Warren County NJ (the Route 78 corridor) consists of an 1800's main home, a barn and a smaller guest cottage. The sale price was $765000.

When I first showed 121 Creek Road in March or April, the list price was $950,000. My buyers' first offer on this Warren County NJ farm for sale was not accepted. In July, I requested and was granted a meeting with the executrix and her 2 listing agents to try to creatively find a meeting of the minds. No such luck.

Despite several interim price reductions, the seller and my buyers were not on the same page. In August, one of the listing agents called me to ask if my buyers were still interested. The seller's bottom line, however, was somewhat less attractive to my buyers at that time. No movement.

Eventually, my buyers opted to make one more stab at this farm in Warren County NJ. We went Under Contract in early October. Lots of problems between then and closing, including septic and well issues. I was able to keep my buyers motivated and with the help of their attorney, we worked through all the unpleasantness! The walkthrough on December 28 disclosed several more problems, ones that were only resolved at the closing table the next morning. (Yes, a sleepless night for many - with my buyers deciding not to even attend the closing.)

I don't know if the husband will ever wear the quilted overalls on which I embroidered his first initial but he sure had a good laugh over my closing gift to him! He and his wife have already begun work on 121 Creek Road, Pohatcong, Warren County NJ!

Copyright © 2009, Irene Kennedy, all rights reserved. This blog post represents Irene's personal musings.

Considering selling a home or looking to buy a property - farm or otherwise? Benefit from creative marketing, top negotiating skills and vast real estate knowledge by contacting Irene via the data to the right.

Many of my home buyers and sellers around Sussex County NJ will be enjoying a loaf of the Best Bread Ever this holiday season.

Whereas most folks simply want me to deliver a freshly-baked loaf, quite a few have asked for the recipe for this breakfast bread. I haven't forgotten your request that followed my thank-you loaf of bread, Mary from the Vernon Building Department

This is a spectacular recipe to make with young children. Yes, many of the ingredients will disappear long before they hit the pan. Yes, you'll have flour everywhere. While I realized kids would like the process, I was unprepared for the real pride they take in the finished product. 

If you would like the recipe alone, just email me and I'll send you the Word version.

From page 445. "Orange Bread with White Chocolate, Apricots and Walnuts" of the Bread Lover's Bread Machine Cookbook by Beth Hensperger. Special thanks to Rebecca Hansen, Harvard Common Press, for her prompt and positive permission to use this recipe!

Best Bread Ever - Recipe for 2 pound loaf

1 ¾ cups mandarin orange segments, liquid reserved (two 11-ounce cans)

3 tablespoons reserved orange liquid or orange liquor

4 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into pieces

4 cups bread flour

⅓ cup sugar (Irene sometimes substitutes Splenda  - no noticeable difference)

1 tablespoon gluten

2 teaspoons salt

2 ¼ teaspoons SAF yeast or 2 ¾ teaspoons bread machine yeast (Irene uses 1 tablespoon Red Star Active Yeast)

**********

⅔ cup white chocolate chips

½ cup minced dried apricots (Irene sometime uses mixed dried fruits)

½ cup chopped walnuts (Irene omits for some recipients)

Craisins - Irene adds a handful - about ½ cup

Official Recipe: Add everything above the stars to bread machine. Set crust on medium and program for Basic or Sweet bread, press START. When machine beeps, or between Knead 1 and Knead 2, add the last items. (Irene's cheap machine doesn't beep, so she adds the goodies 10 - 12 minutes into the cycle.)

Irene's Changes: Add everything above the stars but set machine to DOUGH and start. Add goodies below the star at beep/10 minutes later.  When Dough cycle ends, dump in pan. Cover with plastic and let rise for 60 minutes or so. Bake at 365⁰ (use 350⁰ with dark pans) until center reaches 190⁰.  Length of baking varies greatly depending on what pan is used - and whether Irene removes sides of spring-form pan during the baking cycle.  NOTE: This dough will not hold a shape, so really must be baked in a pan.

Copyright © 2009, Irene Kennedy, all rights reserved. This blog post represents Irene's personal musings.

Considering selling a home or looking to buy a Sussex County NJ property? Benefit from creative marketing, top negotiating skills and vast real estate knowledge by contacting Irene via the data to the right. Plus, Irene might just bake you a loaf of the Best Bread Ever once the real estate deal closes...

Irene Kennedy, who is a NJ real estate agent with Weichert, Realtors, lives in Sussex County & works from the Hamburg office. Her primary market includes: Augusta, Branchville, Crystal Springs, Frankford, Franklin, Hamburg, Hampton, Hardyston, Highland Lakes, Lake Mohawk, Newton, Ogdensburg, Scenic Lakes, Sparta, Stockholm, Sussex, Vernon, Wantage.