RealtorIrene Blogs about Sussex County NJ Real Estate

Update Dec. 23 - The sign in front states 1490 toys but there are at least another 10 delivered since then.  This means my real estate office collected 1500 toys to be distributed by local charities to children in Sussex County NJ. I do believe this is about DOUBLE what was collected last year.

In tough economic times, it brings tears to my eyes to realize how many struggling folks cared enough to help their neighbors who are struggling more!  Thank you all for bringing joy to the needy!

For toys left at the Hamburg real estate office, they will be distributed to Sussex County NJ children by several  charitable organizations.

In 2008, good-hearted folks dropped off more than 700 items in my office alone! That is a lot of joy destined for the less fortunate in our neighborhoods. 

Almost all who bring in gifts say times are tight but that they know things are tougher on others.  Some children take one item off their own wish list and donate it to the less fortunate.

"Let's give them a holiday to remember" is Weichert's slogan for the 31^st Holiday Toy Drive - and one that inspires me to be even more giving this year.

Remember that toys should be dropped off:

New

Not wrapped

Through December 11.

Copyright © 2009, Irene Kennedy, all rights reserved. This blog post 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.

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.

I could pretend this is my way of being a little greener this year.  I could say it is due to watching my very talented niece, Nicole Ryu, dance as Clara in NJ Ballet's The Nutcracker at the Papermill Playhouse. Because I've been baking holiday breads for my Sussex County NJ real estate clients.

But Santa's elves are watching and recording all fibs. The truth is I haven't written a single Christmas card because I've been working on many real estate transactions around Sussex County! Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus and there are deals being done right now. I have a big closing on Dec. 29. Just signed new listing paperwork this week.  All good things but I'm just not going to get to those cards right now, so:

Makes me yearn for the custom when I lived in Europe of sending greeting cards between Christmas and the end of January... Perhaps I'll learn how to use the Flip Video I won last week and share my "Best Bread Ever" recipe to make amends.

  Last night my Hamburg real estate office hosted our annual "Photos with Santa." Open to all within Sussex County NJ and free, we had a great turnout.

  While I don't have a firm count, I estimate we had about 100 people visit Santa at our Sussex County NJ real estate office.  I did print 75 pictures. Some families just wanted the children together in one shot; others did individual photos plus all siblilngs. Add the parents and I think we had about 100 folks!

  Who had the best time? I think it was a tossup! One of my colleagues, John Massari, served as our photographer. My important task was to transfer those shots to my computer, rapidly remove vampiric red eyes, and print keepsakes for each boy and girl. The daughter of an agent racked up community-service hours by trimming and inserting the pictures in card frames. Other elves served refreshments.   Santa Claus, naturally, listened carefully to each child's wish list so that there just might be a treasured toy in that child's future....

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? 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.

Tonight, December 7, another permanent change was accomplished for the Ballyowen Bluffs Active Adult community in Sussex County NJ. The Hamburg Council passed the resolution to lift all age restrictions within the Bluffs, meaning those under 18 may now be residents.  (This, however, in no way impacts my own child-bearing plans!)

Both the town and the new owner, Lorterdan Hamburg Development LLC, had done an excellent job of notifying all the current Ballyowen Bluffs residents and our neighbors.  Big Changes at Ballyowen Bluffs Active Adult Community in Hamburg - Sussex County NJ real estate news  My husband Chip and I took the Lorterdan principals up on their offer to meet with us in our home; they fully answered all our questions about plans for the development.

At the meeting tonight, the floor was opened to the public for comment.  Admittedly, I broke that ice on behalf of myself and Chip. We went on record in favor of lifting the remaining Active Adult restrictions. Of the 6 other households in Ballyowen Bluffs, all but one was represented. One couple voiced their reasonable objection that they specifically bought within an age-restricted community and were opposed to the change. Most of the others commented that they preferred a thriving development to a failed, age-restricted one. And, yes, Robert Jackson of Lorterdan addressed the Council and answered residents concerns at the public meeting.

No fireworks, just a good example of a public meeting in which all were able to express their viewpoints.

The Hamburg Council then voted unanimously to lift all age-restrictions at Ballyowen Bluffs. Next week there will be a land-use meeting to tie up the loose ends but tonight was the change.

Now, if I could only get us a street sign...

Earlier this month, the developer/owner of the only Hamburg active adult community, Ballyowen Bluffs, changed.  According to public Sussex County NJ real estate records, the Bluffs at Ballyowen, LLC, transferred ownership to Lorterdan Hamburg Developement LLC in a Deed in Lieu of Foreclosure.

"Yikes," I say because my husband and I were the very first to purchase within Ballyowen Bluffs. As a Sussex County NJ real estate agent, I directly participated in the sale of 5 out of 6 other homes here.  For many reasons, I deeply care about the future of the Bluffs community and my neighbors.

Sure, it has worried us all that only 7 of 67 potential homes had sold and prices plummeted.

The "new" owners, Lorterdan Hamburg Development LLC actually sold the property to the Bluffs at Ballyowen, LLC, in 2004 so Lorterdan again owns the project.

The Mayor and Council of the Borough of Hamburg are considering lifting all age requirements for Ballyowen Bluffs - meaning it will no longer be an active adult community.  An ordinance (bill) is slated for final passage on December 7, 2009 at which time "all interested parties" may weigh in during the Council meeting. The sad truth is - in many areas of the U.S. - active adult communities were less popular with buyers than had been predicted.

Perhaps we Ballyowen Bluffs residents can at least convince the town to finally install a street sign if we play nice .

I'm also adamant that our stromatolite fossils will be safeguarded no matter what other changes occur!

UPDATE Dec. 7 - Ballyowen Bluffs age restrictions were indeed lifted.  Ballyowen Bluffs - No Longer an Active Adult Community in Hamburg - Sussex County NJ real estate news

Copyright © 2009, Irene Kennedy, all rights reserved. This blog post 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.

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.

Just about 2 months ago my Sussex County NJ real estate business exploded and I've been juggling non-stop. For example, with homes for sale in Franklin NJ and in Highland Lakes NJ, I had offers within two weeks of listing them. Both have absentee owners, so I'm going the extra mile to ensure the transactions close smoothly. Both are rapid closings.

My hubby Chip Mandell (a licensed real estate agent who does NOT handle residential) has been pinch hitting. Chip has been awaiting town inspectors, meeting well testers, installing smoke detectors, etc. A specialist in land sales, Chip helped me prep for a recent listing appointment; I requested that he accompany me. The owner was most impressed with our complimentary expertise. Too, Chip toured the farm taking outside pictures while I covered the residence.

Chip has been stuck cooking 90% 99% of our meals - and he is great at it. He suffers through my periods of stress and exhaustion. Knows when to chat or when to just let me chill a bit.

This upsurge has caused me to neglect my blogging AND my wonderfully supportive life partner. I'll get back on track very soon but clearly know which is a higher priority.

Thanks, Chip, for all your Sussex County real estate help - but much more importantly - your unconditional love and support.

Copyright © 2009, Irene Kennedy, all rights reserved. This blog post from 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.

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

Dr. Michael Hallacker, Chiropractor, has been helping me enormously for a year now. I've experienced unbelievable pain relief! Hallacker Chiropractic Center is at 2764 Route 23 North, Stockholm, NJ 07460; email is optimumhealth@drhallacker.com. Throughout the community, this family man is better known as Dr. Mike.

When the orthopedist couldn't do more, medication didn't work, physical therapy had minimal results and my pain levels soared, I was not a very happy camper. Hurting all the time stinks and negatively impacts every facet of our lives.  At Hardyston Day a year ago, my colleague introduced me to a fellow volunteer - Dr. Michael Hallacker of the Hallacker Chiropractic Center in Sussex County NJ. My coworker was a patient of Dr. Mike and praised his work.

Hallacker Chiropractic Center offers a holistic approach. Exercise, nutrition, stress reduction are all part of the healing practices that Dr. Mike preaches.  My first stop was Dr. Mike's monthly Wellness Seminar. What a great learning experience, as I knew nothing about chiropractors. Then I literally put myself in Dr. Mike's capable hands - and haven't regretted one moment!

While I knew chiropractors treated bad backs, they help many "body parts." Benefits aren't just for those in pain. Even young athletes rely on Dr. Mike Hallacker Chiropractor to improve performance and maintain fitness, thereby avoiding injuries! The center offers "Optimal Health and Fitness Classes" too!

Worried about medical insurance? So was I because mine didn't cover chiropractic care.  The Hallacker Chirpractic Center team will quickly set your mind at ease. Terri will interface with your insurance company and find a win-win solution, so don't let this prevent you from getting help. Terri will also squeeze you into the appointment roster, greet you with a smile and kind word, and make it seem like a pleasure to assist in any way possible. Just call Terri at Hallacker Chiropractic 937-697-2800.

Although Hallacker Chiropractic Center is located in the Stockholm section of Hardyston, NJ, Dr. Mike has regular hours in Franklin as well. He has an office within Nitro Fitness, even more convenient to fit into my schedule. Bet Dr. Mike's athletes also love the second location, as do the members of the Nitro gym!

Copyright © 2009, Irene Kennedy, all rights reserved. This blog post from 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 HomesIrene.com.