RealtorIrene Blogs about Northwestern NJ Real Estate - Hunterdon & Warren

For the very first time, Realtor associations across the country have organized an National Open House Weekend April 10-11. As the deadline for the home buyer tax credits approaches, it is critical to find a home and be under contract by the 30th! To aid this effort, I've got Open Houses scheduled at homes for sale in Frankford NJ (Branchville zip code) and Stockholm (Hardyston) NJ.

While I don't have the blue balloons to use, you will find yellow ones to guide your way. On Sunday, April 11 from 1:00 - 5:00 p.m., you are invited to visit Open Houses at:

11 Worthington Road, Frankford NJ - Just $235000 with an additional $1000 buyer incentive. A totally renovated 3 bedroom ranch home for sale near 3 Sussex lake communities. This is one of the least expensive homes of its size in the town - certainly the best deal for a move-in condition gem! Professionally STAGED too.

3 Laurel Court, Stockholm NJ - This 4 bedroom Cape Cod is in a beautiful, wooded setting. Privacy abounds. Has a finished, walkout basement Right near the Route 23 NJ Transit stop, at only $199,999 this home for sale is a bargain!

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.

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.

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.