RealtorIrene Blogs about Northwestern NJ Real Estate - Hunterdon & Warren: New Jersey: Phillipsburg

Tractor Pull and Hot Air Balloons - Peaceful Coexistence at the Warren County NJ Farmers' Fair

Tractor Pull and Hot Air Balloons - Peaceful Coexistence at the Warren County NJ Farmers' Fair

After months of looking forward to the Warren County NJ Farmers' Fair & Hot Air Balloon Festival, Aug. 1 - 7, 2010 Chip and I joined the other happy attendees on Wednesday, August 4.  What a great outing!

Neither of us had ever been to a tractor pulling contest, although Chip knew that the tractors competed to pull a weighted sled.  Frankly, I had never even stopped to consider that tractors came in different strengths and sizes.

Heehaw, I also learned that evening what a grange is and supported one by purchasing our dinner at its booth.  We took our feast to the grandstand in time for the presenting of the US flag by the Rolling Thunder, a beautiful a capella version of our National Anthem and then the tractor pull. 

 Rolling Thunder Presenting the Colors - Warren County NJ Farmers Fair

 Fair Queen Courtney Sodtalbers - Warren County Farmers Fair 2010

 Tractor pull and Hot Air Balloons - Warren County NJ Farmers Fair - Irene Kennedy's 1

 Tractor pull and Hot Air Balloons - Warren County NJ Farmers Fair - Irene Kennedy's 2

 Tractor pull and Hot Air Balloons - Warren County NJ Farmers Fair - Irene Kennedy's 3

 Tractor pull and Hot Air Balloons - Warren County NJ Farmers Fair - Irene Kennedy's 4

 Tractor pull and Hot Air Balloons - Warren County NJ Farmers Fair - Irene Kennedy's 5

 Tractor pull and Hot Air Balloons - Warren County NJ Farmers Fair - Irene Kennedy's 6

 Tractor pull and Hot Air Balloons - Warren County NJ Farmers Fair - Irene Kennedy's 7

 Tractor pull and Hot Air Balloons - Warren County NJ Farmers Fair - Irene Kennedy's happy hubby Chip Mandell

 

Chip and I were delighted to meet many of our neighbors in the grandstand and share quite a few laughs. We all were part of the cheering section as each contestant tried his best to take the lead within the designated class.  For me, however, the most spectacular part was when the hot air balloons began to drift over the tractor pull! Country living just doesn't get any better.

While I retain the copyright to my Farmers Fair tractor pull and hot air balloon photos, I would be delighted to email you one or two to print for your personal enjoyment.  Just let me know which one you would like! You're my neighbor, so of course, it is free!

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

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

Foreclosures after a BANKRUPTCY? A Deed-in-Lieu might be the way to go

Foreclosures after a BANKRUPTCY? A Deed-in-Lieu might be the way to go -

although I am not a lawyer and never give legal advice!

Bankruptcy Flickr Creative Commons - Photo by taberandrew, http://www.flickr.com/photos/andrewbain/2644353200/

True story from Phillipsburg NJ. Although I've listed and sold many NJ REO homes for sale, this is my first time with this particular situation.  I'm working with a mortgage servicer that I'll call "the bank." It is trying to find the owners of a vacant home. Those owners completed a Chapter 7 bankruptcy and the mortgage debt has been eliminated.  A foreclosure, however, may well be in the works on this property.

 

Here the folks think they have legally and responsibly taken care of their obligations. Still one more hurdle outstanding, however. The bank does not yet own the home so cannot list it for sale.  It is hoping to discuss a post-bankruptcy deed-in-lieu of foreclosure with the owners of this Phillipsburg NJ home.  Given the high costs and long time for a bank to foreclose, it wishes to avoid this process.  The bank is willing to sweeten the pot.

 

Potential pluses of the deed-in-lieu of foreclosures to the bankrupt owners?

  1. Money. Yes, a bank may be willing to pay them a little something to agree to the deed-in-lieu.
  2. Credit rating. Depending on how the bank reports the final outcome can have a big impact on the owners' credit scores.  Certainly important as these good folks will wish to improve their credit ratings for the future!
  3. No costs to the owners for the deed-in-lieu process (unless they wish to consult their own legal counsel).
  4. Really and truly having the situation resolved.  I suspect the owners will be surprised to learn they still have a legal liability on the home.

Foreclosure - Flickr Creative Commons - Photo by taberandrew, http://www.flickr.com/photos/andrewbain/3899715321/

 

Am I certain this is the best choice for these particular owners?  Of course not. My task simply is to locate them, inform them that the bank is VERY interested in doing a deed-in-lieu of foreclosure and put the 2 parties in touch with one another.  My only "reward" would be to list the Phillipsburg NJ REO home for sale once the bank takes title.

 

As more and more distressed homeowners in Northwestern NJ consider bankruptcy, I have a feeling my experience with this will serve me and others well. I'd like to think that I'm providing a useful service to both sides of the equation!

 My Distressed Properties series on Short Sales - Foreclosures - REO issues and BPOS:

  • Part 1 - Distressed Properties are NOT Black Holes!
  • Part 2 - Short Sales can be a great thing despite Timeframe & Lowballs
  • Part 3 - So You Want a Foreclosure: Bank-owned Properties - REOs
  • Part 4 - Want to Steal a Foreclosure? Get the REO facts.
  • Part 5 - Consider a Foreclosure - Advantages of REOs
  • Part 6 - Pitfalls of Foreclosures. Disadvantages of REOs for Buyers
  • Copyright © 2010, Irene Kennedy, all rights reserved. This blog post represents Irene's personal musings.

    Considering selling a home or looking to buy a house in Northwestern NJ - Warren County or Hunterdon County NJ? I serve the Route 78 corridor of Warren County & Hunterdon County. Benefit from creative marketing, top negotiating skills and vast real estate knowledge by contacting Irene via the data to the right.

    Phillipsburg NJ Data on Homes for Sale, July 2010 - Warren County Market Reports

    Phillipsburg NJ Data on Homes for Sale, July 2010 - Warren County Market Reports

    Snapshot of Phillipsburg NJ Market Reports - Warren County - Irene Kennedy, July 2010

     

    The first time buyer tax credit had a more significant impact within Phillipsburg than it did in many of the neighboring Warren County NJ towns.  With a wealth of options under $150,000 the uptick in Phillipsburg closings on homes for sale isn't a huge surprise. I know of some that didn't meet the June 30 deadline but the extended closing date means those 1st-timers are still in luck for the credit!

     

    My Phillipsburg Real Estate Market Report is based on data recorded in GSMLS as of July 12, 2010. Statistics on homes for sale will change based on when numbers are run, accounting for variances with my previous trend snapshots indexed at Market Data on Homes for Sale in Warren County NJ.

     

    Tracking Phillipsburg NJ home for sale?  I cannot exclude other towns with these links but can pull only P'burg from a the MLS itself for you.  There are still MANY choices priced under $150,000 too!

     Homes for Sale $250,000-$350,000- Phillipsburg NJ and other 08865 zips (Pohatcong, Lopatcong and Harmony) 

    $150,000-$250,000 Homes for Sale in Phillipsburg NJ zip

    Phillipsburg NJ Home Sale Prices - Warren County -  Irene Kennedy, July 2010 

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

     

    Considering selling a home or looking to buy a house in Northwestern NJ - Warren or Hunterdon County? 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 Warren County NJ & works from the Phillipsburg office. Having recently moved from Sussex County, she continues to service that adjacent area - and understands the pain of moving!

    We Rode Thomas the Train - A fun but NOT Fabulous Northwestern NJ Family Outing from Phillipsburg, July 9

    Thomas the Train - A fun but NOT Fabulous Northwestern NJ Family Outing from Phillipsburg, July 9

     I am certain that the heat on Friday beat the rain on Saturday but I'm sure glad we had the earliest ride possible on Thomas the Train from Phillipsburg in Northwestern NJ.

    Frankly, the ultra-noisy toy train whistles were the best part and I would not recommend the outing to anyone other than die-hard Thomas fans!  The engineer caps were adorable but it was just too hot for them. We three always have fun but this event wasn't our favorite...

    Thomas the Train - Northwestern NJ Family Outing from Phillipsburg - early July 2010

    When the 11 a.m. Steam Train heading to the mines pulled into the station, we were sorry not to be getting on that.  It was much more impressive than Thomas - even for the 3 and 5 year olds.  Guess we'll be doing that next - once the weather cools down.

    Thomas the Train - Northwestern NJ Family Outing from Phillipsburg - early July 2010

    Thomas the Train - Northwestern NJ Family Outing from Phillipsburg - early July 2010

    Thomas the Train - Jon Ovington, Flickr creative commonsI have loved trains all my life, so was thrilled to learn about the New York Susquehanna & Western Technical & Historical Society Inc. & partners Delaware River Railroad Excursions based out of Phillipsburg. Envisioning a steam train ride to the Susquehanna Mining Company, I went to the website to get details to surprise my hubby Chip with an outing.

    But I was derailed!!!

    Thomas the Train is making an appearance in Northwestern NJ July 2, 3, 4, 9, 10 and 11 - some of the time slots are already sold out. Running from Phillipsburg, this is easy access for anyone in the Route 78 corridor - Warren or Hunterdon County. As family candidates for "best Aunt" are many, I was immediately on the phone to try to fit into Ryan and Juliana's summer schedule. Their Mom generously agreed to give them up for a day or a week...

     

    All aboard on the 9th for 1 big and 2 little Kennedy kids. The Thomas the Train tickets are $18 each with optional add-ons. Couldn't resist the train cap, whistle and toy for my nephew and niece. (Cap is too small for my big head.)

     

    Perhaps you'll ride Thomas the Train too. I doubt I'll be the only large - and old - kid on board! Chip will get his excursion before long even if he did decline Thomas the Train.

     My post Thomas review: Thomas the Train - A fun but NOT Fabulous Northwestern NJ Family Outing from Phillipsburg, July 9

     

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

    Considering selling a home or looking to buy a house in Northwestern NJ - Warren County or Hunterdon 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 Warren County NJ & works from the Phillipsburg office. She also services adjacent areas of Hunterdon and Sussex Counties - and understands the pain of moving!

    RainChecks - Irene Kennedy RainDancing up a Storm thanks to Hyper-Local Posts!

    RainChecks - Irene Kennedy RainDancing up a Storm thanks to Hyper-Local Posts!

    Little did I know a year ago that some posts I did on vacation properties for sale would result in LOTS of business. I focused on the hyper-local areas. Listed a NJ hotel-condo. The values kept dropping, so it eventually became a short sale. First blogged about it August 2009: Short Sale - Minerals Resort Hotel and Spa - Vernon Vacation or Ski Condo - Income-Producing Sussex County NJ real estate for sale.

    The strange thing is that the series brought me business from distant lands. Well, Brooklyn NY in this particular case. That series, however, resulted in many calls and emails from far outside my geographic area - and many RainChecks! Never, never would I have reached those "Blog Buyers" with standard marketing materials - but my ActiveRain RainMaker Outside Blog RealtorIrene Blogs about Warren NJ Real Estate found them!

    In this case, I met my buyers once at the hotel, where we wrote the offer. Naturally, I contacted them weekly with updates on the short sale - often "no progress at the bank" but they heard from me and stuck it out. I didn't attend the closing, half of which took place in NJ, half in NY!

    Taught me that I can reach a vast and distant audience who might be interested in the homes for sale I have listed - something a local mailing will never do. And I'm holding proof that my marketing works!

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

    Considering selling a home or looking to buy a house in Warren 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 Warren County NJ & works from the Phillipsburg office. Having recently moved from Sussex County, she continues to service that adjacent area - and understands the pain of moving!

    10 Home Staging Tips to Make Your Next Listing Look like a Model Home

    I just have to share Julea Joseph's staging tips.  What I like best is that most of these do not cost any money! Even on a very tight budget, a seller can implement many of these hints.  Does that rock or what?

    Via Julea Joseph, Interior Stylist (Reinventing Space):

    Creekside_FamilyWhat is it about Model homes that make them so appealing?  Is it the freshness of all new; is it the sassy paint colors, the perfectly placed furniture, art and accessories or the beautiful groomed backyard that makes you want to plop right down on that comfy club chair, or light the grill on the patio?  Well.... Yes to all the above.  A builder hold hosts to an array of skilled professionals to make that Model beautiful.  From blue print to drawer pulls that Model home is meticulously planned.

    Beyond the nicely placed furniture, Model homes are the current reflection of the home environment needs of the target market of the Builder.  They are a turn-key product, designed & packaged for the desires of perfect buyer.

    Models homes are lovely because they have the latest and the greatest, are fresh and new and are meticulously detailed.  Psychology, more than decorating is applied to makes them look so fabulous.  From architecture to floral arrangements, Model homes are planned with "YOU" in mind.  

    So how can you the Realtor make your next listing as appealing as a Model Home? - Here are 10 ways.

    •1.)    Clean.  Those nice angled vacuum lines, gleaming windows, and perfectly manicured lawns in Model homes speak to a potential buyer - You don't have to do a thing.   A Realtor can translate that into - A little elbow grease goes a long way.  A super clean home says "turn-key" to the potential buyer.  Have every inch of the home, blind slats to porch light glass, super clean and perfectly coiffed.  According to a national 2009 survey done by Home Gain (www.homegain.com,) a $100-$200 cleaning investment gives an 872% return!

    •2.)    Fresh & Smells Good.  People buy homes on emotion, and your 5 senses are a direct path to your brain.  If a home smells and looks "funky," "doggy," "smoky," or if the stove is coated with  cooking gone bad - The home is off their list.  Just like you would detail your car to sell, invest in clean and spotless carpets, patched, repaired and freshly painted walls and new appliances if the old have seen better days.  Be wary to skip this step and take the low road with room refreshers, candles and stove burner covers - Potential buyers are not fooled.

    •3.)    Color.  Any advertising executive will tell you color is key to properly packaging a product; and a listed home is just that, a product.  Throw away the off-white manta of old school home staging rules - Welcome to the era of HGTV. Using color is a powerful and inexpensive way of making that home stand out from the rest, and with so many decorating TV shows boasting the benefits of color, you better get hip to hues.   From 1st Web impressions to curb-appeal, color is a strong emotional tug for the potential buyer.  Update yourself on the latest color trends in wall color, appliance, fixtures, etc... and apply it to your target buyer.  For home staging, use earthy, calm tones for the bigger areas such as wall color and add pops of saturated colors in the details; such front doors, accessories or annuals.

    •4.)    Make Space.  The joy of a Model home is the acres and acres of unused storage space & beautifully organized closets.  Reduce, organize, upscale and edit all the home's spaces when it comes to closets and storage areas.  If the home's price point dictates, upscale the closets with custom organizing options.

    •5.)    Clear a Path.  Consider that many people with be walking through the home.  Make sure traffic patterns, entrances and exits are well established.  Too much furniture, undefined entrances and awkward walkways confuse and discourage buyers from moving about the property.  Follow a Model Home's lead and create a concise walking pattern for potential buyers starting a curbside to back fence.  

    •6.)    Lovely Layouts. From the landscape to furniture placement, take a clue from Models homes that continuity and flow make for a good mix.  Create curb appeal with nicely maintained landscaping, added annuals and perennials, an inviting stoop and well groomed walk and driveways.  Inside, make sure each room depicts what its function is, enhances the highlights of the room (i.e. fireplaces or upgrades,) and allows the buyer to envision themselves in the space.

    •7.)    Set the Mood. Create ambiance and character in the home with well thought out placement of Creekside_Diningsensory and lifestyle components.  Soft music, lighting on dimmers, candles lit, and fresh floral are all great ideas for Broker or Open houses. If you have concern about candles, battery operated candles that even have timers built in are now readily available.   Stage the dining room table tastefully, or set the stage in a back yard with a detailed patio retreat.  Offering helpful lifestyle hints has always been in the Model Home arsenal and always a huge hit.

    •8.)    K.I.S.S. On the opposite note, don't over accessorize, go over-board with the lifestyle tips or create "store bought theme" rooms (i.e. Chef-with-a-Hat Kitchen or Anniversary Bathtub area complete with Champagne bottle.)

    •9.)    Appeal to a Target Buyer.  Consider "WHO" the ideal buyer is that will be interested in the property, and market the property accordingly.  From advertising photos to furniture, consider who will find this appealing and desirable. 

    •10.) Market, Market, Market.  Model Homes have great marketing incentives inside and out.  From clear address markers, great signs, to small exit giveaways, to survey - market that listing to the fullest.  

     

    Julea Joseph of Reinventing Space has created her own recipe for success with her signature Interior Stylist Philosophy.  Always a few steps ahead, Julea launched her home design business in 1999 when interior redesign & home staging were just in their infancy.  Rather than offering just redesign and staging, she developed a menu of blended services that fully embraces and captures the lifestyle of a home - She Celebrates the Soul of a Home. 

    Phillipsburg NJ Data on Homes for Sale, June 2010 - Warren County Market Reports

    Phillipsburg NJ Market Reports - Warren County - Irene Kennedy, June 2010Phillipsburg NJ Data on Homes for Sale, June 2010 - Warren County Market Reports

     

     My Phillipsburg Real Estate Market Report is based on data recorded in GSMLS as of June 2, 2010. Statistics can change as a deal falls apart or late recordings take place - each month I update previous data as appropriate. All my market trend reports are indexed at Market Data on Homes for Sale in Warren County NJ.

      

    The "spring market" listing a home for sale spiked in April in Phillipsburg, much more so than in neighboring Pohatcong, Lopatcong, Stewartsville and Greenwich. As anticipated with the April 30 end of the tax credit, many more homes went Under Contract then they did in May. We'll see a bunch of closing this month due to the tax credit deadline for completion.

     Phillipsburg NJ Home Sale Prices - Warren County -  Irene Kennedy, June 2010

     How are prices on Phillipsurg NJ homes for sale?  Well, today the most expensive currently on the market is $450,000; the average list price in town is $163,347.  Average sale prices are on an upward trend, but clearly buyers are still selecting the homes that are well-priced with motivated sellers. Keep in mind that a good many of the sold prices include a Seller concession - help with the Buyer's closing costs!

    Setting the right price is essential if you really want to sell your home in Phillipsburg NJ.  Too high and you won't even have showings. If you're interested, we can sit down to see what number will attract today's buyers. The Buyers Have Voted...

     

    Looking to purchase a Phillipsburg NJ home for sale? Take a peek and then let me know which ones interest you:

     Homes for Sale $250,000-$350,000- Phillipsburg NJ and other 08865 zips (Pohatcong, Lopatcong and Harmony) 

    $150,000-$250,000 Homes for Sale in Phillipsburg NJ zip

     

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

    Considering selling a home or looking to buy a house in Warren 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 Warren County NJ & works from the Phillipsburg office. Having recently moved from Sussex County, she continues to service that adjacent area - and understands the pain of moving!

    Phillipsburg NJ Data on Homes for Sale, May 2010 - Warren County Market Reports

    Phillipsburg NJ Market Reports - Warren County - Irene KennedyPhillipsburg NJ Data on Homes for Sale, May 2010 - Warren County Market Reports

    My Phillipsburg NJ Real Estate Market Report is based on data recorded in GSMLS as of May 25, 2010. Please note that statistics can change as a deal falls apart or late recordings take place - I give updates in subsequent reports. While I won't be publishing monthly market data on all Warren County NJ homes for sale, I will cover some each month!

     

    I do apologize for getting this data out so late in the month.  Now that my spreadsheet is created, I'll be able to publish future Phillipsburg NJ Market Reports on Homes for Sale much earlier in the month.  I'll also hold off until the May data is released to do my analysis.

    Take a peek and then let me know which ones interest you:Phillipsburg Home Sale Prices - Warren County NJ -  Irene Kennedy, May 2010

     Homes for Sale $250,000-$350,000 - Phillipsburg NJ and other 08865 zips (Pohatcong, Lopatcong and Harmony) 

    $150,000-$250,000 Homes for Sale in Phillipsburg NJ zip

     Area is indexed at: Market Data on Homes for Sale in Warren County NJ.

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

    Considering selling a home or looking to buy a house in Warren 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 Warren County NJ & works from the Phillipsburg office. Having recently moved from Sussex County, she continues to service that adjacent area - and understands the pain of moving!

    Warren County NJ Farmers’ Fair & Hot Air Balloon Festival, Aug. 1 – 7, 2010

    Warren County NJ Farmers' Fair & Hot Air Balloon Festival Aug. 1 - 7

    Hot Air Balloon Festival at Warren County NJ Farmer FairWhile August might seem eons away, tickets are already on sale for the Warren County NJ Farmers' Fair and Hot Air Balloon Festival. Held at the intersection of Route 519 and Stryker's Road in Harmony Township, this is the 73rd Farmer's Fair and 10th Balloon Festival.

     

    The Warren County Farmers' Fair & Hot Air Balloon Festival offers some specials for children and senior citizens but the normal admission is $5 for adults, $3 for ages 5 - 12 with those 4 or under Free.  You may also buy a season pass for just $25.00.  This single admission covers both the fair and the Balloon Festival.  Rides have a charge expect during the special times. One does need another grandstand ticket for events such as a Demolition Derby, Mud Bog Competition, Lawnmower Races, the Elvis impersonator, etc.   Brochure for Warren County NJ Farmers Fair and Balloon Festival

     

    Demolition Derby Warren County NJ Farmer Fair. Provided by fair organizers.I have the wonderful memory of a hot air balloon ride during a festival many years ago. Hubby Chip has never been, so I might just splurge and sign up for a ride by calling 908-454-3431.  Somewhat pricey, there are ways to win a hot air balloon ride both before and during the Farmers' Fair in Warren County NJ.

     

    New to Warren County NJ, Chip and I are really looking forward to the Warren County NJ Farmers' Fair & Hot Air Balloon Festival Aug. 1 - 7, 2010. A couple season passes might be necessary for us with so much to do and enjoy (and eat!).

     

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

    Considering selling a home or looking to buy a house in Warren 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 Warren County NJ & works from the Phillipsburg office. Having recently moved from Sussex County, she continues to service that adjacent area - and understands the pain of moving!