RealtorIrene Blogs about Sussex County NJ Real Estate

Those considering buying condo vacation homes in Sussex County NJ may worry about maintenance issues from afar.  Others might not be able to use them frequently and debate the value to owning a ski condo. Several popular resorts - Minerals Resort, The Appalachian at Mountain Creek and Grand Cascades Lodge at Crystal Springs - may be the answers.

Lovely resort condos that set you at the heart of Sussex County golf courses and ski slopes. Monthly maintenance fees cover the utilities at these Sussex condo hotels.

These 3 hotel-style vacation properties in Sussex County NJ run an optional rental program. Owners can permit their condos to be in the rental pool when you won't be using it.  Each hotel sets its own rates and restrictions. I'll always help potential buyers obtain those rental details although I my real estate services don't extend to actual hotel bookings.

Minerals Resort and Spa SHORT SALE - Vernon NJ - The oldest (built in 2003) of our current Sussex County condo hotels, Minerals Resort has spectacular indoor and outdoor pools. Kites Restaurant provides delicious meals with a view.  Meticulously maintained, the condos come fully furnished - right down to fluffy spa towels & tiny shampoo bottles.  Why is this great for those coming from afar?  You just pack a suitcase and show up at your Minerals Resort condo!  The housekeeping staff will change linens, swab the tub and tidy up behind you.  Hotel luxury, ownership prices! (Minerals is in the same Vernon NJ complex as Great Gorge Village, which does have a rental program but no hotel services.)

Irene Kennedy's video on what is

now a $36000 SHORT SALE at Minerals Hotel & Spa Condo - Vernon NJ

Condos at the Appalachian at Mountain Creek - Vernon are newer than Minerals and have more varied condo layouts - studios plus 1 or 2 bedroom suites. Kitchenettes offer better self-preparation options - important as no restaurant has yet opened within the Appalachian.  These condos give you true ski-in ski-out access.

The Grand Cascades Lodge - Crystal Springs in Hardyston is Sussex County's newest condo hotel.  I would say it is the most swank. Putting green in front, several golf courses all around. The country club connects to the lodge.

If you and each one of your friends buys a Grand Cascades condo with me as your real estate agent, I would spend time in the Biosphere pool, a year-round paradise. I could then afford some pampering in its Reflections Spa. Ultra luxury!

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

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

Although all the homes for sale in Sussex County NJ are fairly close to one of our 21 golf courses, many people immediately focus on the 7 Crystal Springs golf courses: Wild Turkey, Minerals, Great Gorge, Crystal Springs, Cascades, Black Bear and Ballyowen.

Although many of 21 courses are open to the public, some, such as Lake Mohawk Golf Club, are private. For those who plan to live year round in Sparta, membership at Lake Mohawk Golf Club might be of interest. Others who may want vacation homes in Sussex County will be happy to learn that all the Crystal Springs golf courses don't require a membership.

Your options for real estate in Crystal Springs are vast and we can chat about what best fits your needsl!  The Grand Cascades Lodge is a hotel-condo; you own a unit that could be part of the rental pool.  (My vacation home series will eventually highlight the  local hotel-type real estate in Sussex County NJ.)

As for more traditional choices for homes for sale in Crystal Springs - Hardyston, NJ - the sky is the limit. We can focus on small condos, modest townhouses, luxury townhomes, quaint ranches or palatial Colonials. Some of these adjoin or overlook may of the Crystal Springs golf courses.  Right next to its Ballyowen Golf Course is an active adult community, Ballyowen Bluffs.

To start our hunt for your residence or vacation home in Sussex County NJ, here are some larger 3 bedroom townhouses and condos. Some are Crystal Springs homes for sale; others are quite close.

Here you'll find my blog posts on Sussex County NJ vacation homes. Or, subscribe to all my posts by using the button to the right!

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

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

Irene Kennedy, 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, Sussex, Vernon, Wantage.

 July 26 Update - The new owners of this vacation property in Sussex County NJ have finished renovations. They invited me for a peek at their ski condo near Mountian Creek.  Furniture is about to be delivered so the getaway property will be ready for them. At the time of the sale, this room had no sheet rock - floor or ceiling; a sump pump is now hidden in a tiny closet.

The former owners had used this as a mountainous Sussex County getaway property from New York City. Not only did they love the after shots I forwarded, they shared that the proceeds helped make their son's bar mitzvah extra festive!

End of Update

Another Win-Win Real Estate Transaction with one of the Sussex County NJ Vacation Homes!!!

Today I was at a real estate closing in which I represented both the home sellers and the buyers. One of the Great Gorge Village vacation homes in Vernon, NJ; it is a 2 bedroom condo that needed a lot of renovation. Photo of the lower-level family room proves I'm not exagerating about the work! Yet today, there are 2 delighted families. Why? Thank you for asking...

We'll call the buyers Bonnie and Clyde BradyBunch. (The sellers can be Romeo and Juliette Jones.)  The Bradys were referred to me; they wanted a small vacation getaway near Mountain Creek ski slope for weekend use.  At first they were intrigued by my condo-hotel listings in the Appalachian at Mountain Creek and Minerals Hotel and Spa. But with 5 children under the age of 13 and 2 small dogs, the hotels didn't suit their needs.

I showed Bonnie & Clyde several homes listed for sale. They wanted a lower-level unit for child safety reasons. Put in a reasonable offer on one and those sellers did not even counter, despite many months with no previous offers...

The BradyBunch headed to Florida while I went to bat for them. I contacted owners of lower-level condos adjacent to the Mountain Creek ski slope that the Bradys preferred. Two were more than pleased to be "solicited" and sent me keys to take a peek. The Jones family lives in New York City (about 55 miles outside Sussex County NJ) and had not been able to enjoy their condo for the last couple years due to water damage.

Despite condition of Romeo and Juliette's townhouse, I KNEW the BradyBunch would love it. (Clyde just happens to be involved with home improvement!)  Sent photos to Florida and set a time to show the Bradys the end-unit townhouse. All 7 gave it a thumbs up! Lots of trees to climb, a creek to splash in, a fabulous Minerals Resorts with pools and a "cliff" to jump off - plus skiing when the weather changes.

Breaking all the rules, I phoned the Joneses with the Brady's offer, negotiated a deal and then did the paperwork. (Naughty girl!) Closed in less than 30 days. As neither the sellers nor the buyers lived in Sussex County, my sellers readily agreed to a slightly higher commission. In return I:

1. arranged for (but cancelled) estimates from 2 licensed general contractors;
2. installed smoke & carbon monoxide detectors, mounted a fire extinguisher;
3. learned there was an open building permit for the new water heater. Installed a "bond jumper" when it flunked inspection;
4. met Vernon Township officials a total of 4 times to get the required Certificate of Occupancy;
5. scheduled and met 2 HVAC people to get estimates on the air conditioner repair;
6. took a complete photo inventory of the condo contents and sent it to Mrs. Jones so she could decide whether to make a trip to take any personal property. (Deal specified the Bradys would do clean out of whatever the Jones decided to abandon.)

 Four of the five children were in school today, but here are some happy members of the BradyBunch.

Where is my photo of the happy sellers? Not only do I not have a picture of Romeo and Juliette Jones - I have NEVER MET THEM. That is correct; we got their Sussex County vacation property sold long distance.

And what was the price tag for all this? $125,000 - sold As-Is. Yep, an amount that was win-win for both parties but didn't include some mega-commission.

I try to give all those looking to buy a home or to sell any home in Sussex County NJ - vacation properties or not -million dollar Realtor® service - at every price!

Sussex County NJ homes for sale - many potential vacation properties!

Track all the posts in Irene Kennedy's series on vacation homes in Sussex County NJ.

Copyright © 2009, Irene Kennedy, all rights reserved. This blog post from http://www.realtorirene.com/ represents Irene's personal musings.

Considering selling a home or looking to buy one around Sussex County, NJ? Benefit from creative marketing, top negotiating skills and vast real estate knowledge by contacting Irene via the data to the right or http://www.homesirene.com/.

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, Sussex, Vernon, Wantage. With her vast network, however, Irene Kennedy also can help you find an equally talented real estate agent elsewhere.

As the number of Sussex County lake communities is at least 30, I will not even attempt to profile the relative benefits of each when considering a vacation home in Sussex County NJ. Residents of each one will be delighted to tell visitors why their lake community is better than the other 29. Community events, passing the home from one generation to the next, stopping for a neighborly chat when riding a bike or walking the dog are just some of the reasons the residents think their lake community rocks more than the others.  And me? I wouldn't argue with a single one of them!

The only one of the Sussex County lake communities that I've never seen is Rock Lodge Nudist Club in the Stockholm zip code section of Hardyston. There currently are no homes listed for sale in this community, but I would be glad to introduce prospective buyers of vacation homes in Sussex to any area that might be of interest.  We will just remain fully clothed at all stops, so I don't blow a sale.  ;-)

With such a vast number of choices, how would a non-local potential buyer even begin to focus on a couple of our lovely lake communities in Sussex County NJ? This is where I come in as a full-time, full-service Realtor® who handles all facets of residential real estate.

First, I listen very carefully to what you're seeking and your motives for buying a Sussex County vacation home. We'll respect your budget; not everyone is able or willing to pay the premium required for lakefront property - especially if it isn't a year-round residence. Say you mention boating, we'll chat about whether you mean kayak or motor boat. (Many Sussex County lake communities completely ban gas engines.) Even for a kayaker, portage might be important. As I learn more about what your dream is, we start narrowing the list.

Second, we'll discuss your maintenance goals - very important to your enjoyment of a vacation property! When I tell you we have quaint log cabins in Sussex County lake communities, I mean the real McCoy. These rustic homes might be just want you want; for others they are too old and demanding to be of interest. Most areas offer a choice of newer and older homes. In another post in this series, I'll be covering maintenance-light and maintenance-free options, such as townhouses and hotel condos.

Third is size. Expecting lots of city-slicker friends and family to freeload come visit? A 2-bedroom, 1-bath might not work, although it does give you the perfect excuse to regretfully decline company. Within most Sussex County lake communities, we have a nice variety of sizes and styles.

Fourth, we'll examine your non-lake goals for a vacation home in a Sussex NJ lake community. Will you or friends want to come ski at Mountain Creek? Then we'll focus on the areas closest to the slopes. I'd share rental information with you in case you don't plan to use the home for a season or more.

Fifth - Location, location, location. We have lake communities in Sussex County NJ that are more remote than others. From where will you be coming? How long a drive is acceptable to you? Do you have a 4-wheel drive that can tackle an icy mountain, just in case your arriving before the snow plows next sweep?

Irene Kennedy's 2009 series on Vacation Homes in Sussex County NJ:

• Part 1: Vacation Homes in Sussex County NJ - A Long Tradition!
• Part 2: Highland Lakes Vacation Properties
• Part 3: Sussex County NJ - Lake Communities

Copyright © 2009, Irene Kennedy, all rights reserved. This blog post from www.RealtorIrene.com/ represents Irene's personal musings.

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

Update August 30 - The 3 bedroom ranch foreclosure in Highland Lakes NJ was listed today for $167000.  This would be a wonderful Sussex County vacation property or full-time home. My crystal ball predicts that this move-in ready, updated REO home for sale in the Highland Lakes section of Vernon will find the right buyer quickly!

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 Within Vernon, NJ, Highland Lakes vacation homes are extremely popular. This section of single family residences is enjoyed by year-round residents and by those wanting a mountain getaway in Sussex County, NJ.  Like many of our local Sussex lake communities, Highland Lakes has older log cabins and small ranches that have been converted for year-round use right on up to Colonials under constructions. Just 50 miles from the heart of New York City, Highland Lakes is a modestly-priced, lovely community!

 According to the Highland Lakes County Club and Community Association, those looking for a resort-type Highland Lakes vacation home will enjoy:

"five lakes, a Clubhouse, and recreational facilities including ballfields, beaches, tennis and basketball courts, picnic areas and playgrounds. Sailing and boating are enjoyed by many, along with swimming, hiking, fishing, and kayaking. There are sailing leagues, swim teams, tennis leagues and a variety of recreational and social activities held at the Clubhouse. The Club supplies docks and boat racks for members located throughout the community."

 Additionally, Highland Lakes getaway properties are wonderful 4-season spots. Around Sussex County in the fall, you can pick apples, take a hayride, play golf, hike High Point State Parkor just gaze at fabulous foliage.  You would be just minutes from the waterpark or skiing at Mountain Creek, as well as the area's many challenging golf courses. 

 Want a great deal? Perhaps a foreclosed Highland Lakes vacation home is right for you. Both short sales and bank-owned foreclosures may be the "steal" you seek. I'm getting an REO ready for the real estate market; I suspect this 3 bedroom Highland Lakes ranch with unimpeded lake views will fly off the market because it is in good shape! Not yet on the market, the list price hasn't been determined. It could be the one to make your dreams of a getaway vacation home in Highland Lakes, Sussex County, NJ, a reality!

 Let's start our hunt with Highland Lakes vacation homes between $100000 - $200000. I'd love to help you with any of these or other Sussex County weekend retreat properties - priced higher or lower!

Irene Kennedy's 2009 series on Vacation Homes in Sussex County, NJ:

• Part 1: Vacation Homes in Sussex County NJ - A Long Tradition!
• Part 2: Highland Lakes Vacation Properties

Copyright © 2009, Irene Kennedy, all rights reserved. This post from RealtorIrene Blogs from Sussex County NJ represents Irene's personal musings.

Considering selling a home or looking to buy one around Sussex County, NJ? Benefit from creative marketing, top negotiating skills and vast real estate knowledge by contacting Irene via the data to the right or www.HomesIrene.com. Irene Kennedy, who is a NJ real estate agent with Weichert, Realtors, lives in Sussex County & works from the Hamburg office.

Within 50 miles of Manhattan, weekend getaway or vacation homes for sale in Sussex County, NJ, are very appealing to folks looking for a "country home" with little upkeep required.  Prices have fallen drastically, so more people from New York City are purchasing vacation homes in the rural Sussex area. Folks from other distant areas are also jumping on the bandwagon!

Vacation properties in Sussex County being purchased by distant owners is nothing new. In 1961 my great-uncle Joe and aunt Dot purchased a summertime log cabin in Lake Tamarack, Stockholm, NJ. Brooklyn apartment dwellers, Dot and her 2 boys spent the entire summer enjoying the mountain air, lakes, hiking, etc. Joe came weekends and for his week's vacation. Dot's brother from Staten Island owned a lakefront cottage down the road; most of the neighbors were also city-dwellers seeking a great place to spend the summer.

The history of other vacation communities within Sussex, NJ is similar. Over time, most of the summer homes in Lake Mohawk, Scenic Lakes, Highland Lakes, etc., were converted for year-round residency or replaced by more modern homes.

The get-away appeal of Sussex County, NJ, is nothing new! Nor is it limited to summers - year round relaxation, strenuous sports and nature offer a 4-season change of pace. No matter what one's age, Sussex County NJ resort homes make a great place to have some fun.

In this little series of posts, we'll take a peek at why New Yorkers and even folks who own a beach house at Long Beach Island still want a ski condo near Mountain Creek, a small home adjoining Ballyowen Golf Course or one of the many other weekend getaway homes we have for sale in Sussex County!

Irene Kennedy's 2009 series on Getaway Properties in Sussex County, NJ:

• Part 1: Vacation Homes in Sussex County NJ - A Long Tradition!
• Part 2: Highland Lakes Vacation Properties

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

Considering selling a home or looking to buy one around Sussex County, NJ? Benefit from creative marketing, top negotiating skills and vast real estate knowledge by contacting Irene via the data to the right or visit www.HomesIrene.com.

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, Sussex, Vernon, Wantage. With her vast network, however, Irene Kennedy also can help you find an equally talented real estate agent elsewhere.

Update Sept. 30 - One of my sellers has decided to take the home off the market. Along with relevant statistics I worked up on Sussex County real estate sales and inventory, I shared Dean's post.

While I've posted about this and shared other items along the same lines, this is a critical message for all home sellers. Dean's points are just as relevant to the Sussex County NJ real estate market as they are to his Chicago area!

On Friday, June 10, 2009, I had a huge surge. Three different agents called about bringing buyers to one well-priced, short sale listing in Great Gorge Village, Vernon, NJ. Honestly, I hadn't been getting 3 calls a week on that Sussex County ski condo.

That Friday alone, also had inquiries on other Sussex County homes for sale that I have listed, although Friday is typically heavier as agents line up appointments for the weekend. It was far more than usual and calls and showings on my listings have continued to be robust this entire week.

This week, a new potential home seller in Frankford NJ called to set up an appointment for Sunday. He has a minimum price in mind, so I may not be able to assist him. But I will spend the time discussing current trends and how I work to help sellers maximize their return within the realities of a buyer's market.

Picked up a new REO in Highland Lakes -Vernon. Lots to get done before I can begin to market it but this foreclosure is in very good shape. It also has an unobstructed view on the lake - nothing between it and the water. My prediction is that this will be one very hot home for sale!

As for working with home buyers:

Suddenly swamped showing Sussex homes for sale to area renters, all potential first-time buyers. Several couples are ones who had been toying but have just gotten ultra-serious about putting in an offer in the very near future. We have had some recent headlines that stated prices seem to be stabilizing. The $8000 tax credit is getting close to expiry; the uncertainty about its extension or expansion is clearly a factor.

For one couple I've just met, the $8000 first-time home buyer credit (plus the joyous news of expecting their first child!) prompted them to start looking to buy a home - and I'm honored that they chose me to help.

In the week since June 10, I've started working with an out-of-area couple looking for a vacation home in Sussex County NJ. Tomorrow, I will be taking them to see one for the second time and showing them some alternatives within the 2 communities they preferred.

A gentleman called me about one of my listings. He needs a pied-a-terre in this area for work reasons, does not plan to relocate his family. While we have yet to meet, we've chatted multiple times and exchanged many emails. As soon as he has a business trip to the NY area, we'll go find him the right "bachelor quarters."

Now a one-week wild surge in activity doesn't document a shift in the Sussex County real estate market. This anecdotal increase in my business, however, certainly is a welcome addition to the other activity on which I've been working hard. Let's hope it is a sign of a improving real estate conditions!

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

In June 2009, GSMLS market data for Wantage shows that only 4 homes sold during the month, but as many more are Under Contract, we can expect a much different picture when the July market data is available. Better news for Wantage home sellers is that the Median Sale price rose from just $164,500 in May to $255,000 in June!

As for buyers considering purchasing a home in Wantage, we still have plenty of choices with 162 MLS listings in Wantage alone. Add Branchville and other adjacent towns - home buyers have lots of option here in Sussex County! 

All this Wantage NJ real estate data on homes for sale has been updated based on June 2009 information. Sometimes earlier months changed. Say a deal on a home for sale that was Under Contract in May fell apart; the UC number dropped and the Active number went up accordingly.

 Start looking at homes for sale in Wantage NJ.

Whether you're considering selling your home or purchasing a home in one of Sussex County's fine communities, this is a better time than many folks think.  Statistics are a useful overview, but to really understand the outlook for your personal real estate goals - let's sit down and chat!

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

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

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, Sussex, Vernon, Wantage. With her vast network, however, Irene Kennedy also can help you find an equally talented real estate agent elsewhere.

Right here in beautiful Sussex County, we have some very valuable but little known real estate. I'm referring to stromatolites - fossils on a Precambrian rock outcrop, which is more than 500,000,000 years old. Stromatolites are one of the oldest living organisms on Earth - and you can meet some right in Hamburg!

The most famous places to view stromatolites are Shark Bay or Coral Bay both in Australia, Rio de Janeiro in Brazil and in the Bahamas. While I'd love to visit any of those places, such a trip isn't in my family budget. Probably not in yours either...

So, what about a short ride to explore stromatolites fossils right in Sussex County, NJ?  FREE and fun - just you and Mother Nature. Family members of all ages can find something of interest - collecting loose rocks, climbing on boulders, viewing fossils, perhaps spotting some wildlife.  Best of all, everyone will get dirty, so wear your sturdy playclothes! Try to locate the "Godzilla's butt print" fossil. Bring a rope to aid climbing. You'll probably want your camera too. Perhaps hike along the Wallkill River, which runs parallel; listen for the waterfall. The Wallkill River stems from the Hudson and empties into Lake Mohawk in Sparta, NJ.

Directions: The Bluffs Active Adult community is at the intersection of Gingerbread Castle Road in Hamburg and Wheatsworth Road in Hardyston. (You probably won't find Bluffs Court via GPS or Mapquest.) We're right between Ballyowen Golf Course and the Gingerbread Castle. At the top of the loop, you can park at the site of the future clubhouse. Voila - stromatolites! 

When you visit, please remember that you're in a private community. There are no public restrooms, no trash cans, no benches, no concession stands - simply you and our good Earth. It would be a prime time to practice being concerned environmentally-friendly citizens. And speaking of citizens, all my lovely neighbors and I always appreciate a wave or Hello!

Following are some links to Wikipedia for those who would like some details about terms used and what you'll be seeing. Never hurts to sneak in a little learning!

Stromatolite          Precambrian

Outcrop          Fossil          Glacier          Wallkill River

Copyright © 2009, Irene Kennedy, all rights reserved. This post from RealtorIrene Blogs from Sussex County, NJ represents Irene's personal musings.

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

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, Sussex, Vernon, Wantage. With her vast network, however, Irene Kennedy also can help you find an equally talented real estate agent elsewhere.