RealtorIrene Blogs about Sussex County NJ Real Estate

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

My series on Sussex County NJ vacation homes and posts pertaining to Highland Lakes have sparked a lot of interest. Many looking for a vacation getaway in Sussex County live far away. Although I'm always glad to personally introduce potential buyers to real estate close to ski slopes and mountain lakes, I've decided to share my new vacation map guide to Highland Lakes NJ. This area is very convient to Mountain Creek ski slopes and other area amenities such as Minerals Resort and Spa.

While the Highland Lakes Country Club and Community Association posts some great info online, I needed a visual that shows boat docks and beaches with lifeguards (although not in December). HLCC kindly provided a basic map of Highland Lakes, Vernon NJ that I could tweak and dot with a color code. Now I have a great (copyrighted) tool for buyers looking for vacation homes for sale within Sussex County, especially if they are interested in the Highland Lakes community.

Here's a peek for those considering Sussex County NJ vacation real estate:

Perfect, no. But it beats me with multiple highlighter pens for each potential buyer of a Highland Lakes vacation getaway home for sale!

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.

One couple seeking a vacation or getaway property in a lovely Sussex County NJ lake community are the happy new owners of this great foreclosure in Highland Lakes, Vernon, NJ. Yes, they have lots of painting to do but that doesn't diminish their joy. A Highland Lakes home has been on their dream list for quite a few year.

 There were multiple offers on this Sussex County NJ REO owned by Freddie Mac and lots of question marks. At the time the offers were received, there were no power lines to the home. I was still juggling bids from electricians.  Getting power meant multiple visits from Vernon Township building inspectors.

With electricity, we were able to turn on the well pump.  Oops! All the pipes and the boiler had burst from freezing while the house sat abandoned. Multiple bids later, new boiler was done.  We had the home inspection the day after getting that news. Egads, the boiler ran but didn't heat the Sussex County NJ home. Buyers are now rather nervous...

While we sailed through our fire-safety inspection, Vernon Township won't grant an Certificate of Occupancy while there are still open building permits. Flunked the next Vernon building inspection for lack of an emergency shut off switch on the upper level. Closing was scheduled for Nov. 20 for this Highland Lakes foreclosure; the seller approved funds for the switch on the 17th, electrician installed on the 18th, and Vernon Township accomodated my unreasonable request for an inspection on the 19th.

We closed on time!!!

Bright and early on Monday, Nov. 23, I showed up with a thank you note and freshly-baked loaf of my breakfast bread for the Vernon NJ township employees. Without their great cooperation and attorney Marleen Horlacher's skills and her faith in my getting things done, we never would have closed on Friday.

And the new owners started painting on Saturday!

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.

My Vacation Properties in Sussex County NJ series has brought new business my way, which is a wonderful thing for a fairly new blogger. By following tips learned on ActiveRain, even the pictures I'm using have given me the coveted Google juice SEO

Happy to report that the Scenic Lakes - Vernon NJ -  home for sale for which I took the original photo is now Under Contract, yesterday I was honored to receive an email (excerpts below):

I work for the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. We are in the process of updating the website of one of our programs, the Bureau of Air Quality Permitting Program.

We were looking for a beautiful scenic photograph from within the state to post on our website.
Upon doing a GOOGLE search a photo from your website showed, and to be honest, we love it.

The photo in question is attached, but was found on this page: http://realtorirene.com/channels/home_buying/topics/vacation_properties_in_sussex_county_nj
Its the last one (the lake view of the autumn trees).

The response by this Sussex County NJ real estate agent!

No, I didn't get paid - didn't even ask. (Okay, I'll confess I did ask this gentleman if he was interested in buying or selling any real estate - but only AFTER I gave permission to use my picture!) Personally flattered,  I think this is a honor for Sussex County NJ - Scenic Lakes in Vernon in particular. Of all the lovely possibilities, our area was chosen.

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.

This morning was the scheduled inspection on the home for sale at 12 High Crest Drive, Scenic Lakes-Vernon NJ. While I normally opt to be present at inspections, a final walk-through at a different listing of mine prevented that.  With my seller's consent, I was going to get things rolling and then leave.

As the listing agent for this Sussex County house for sale, I had not meet the buyers. They are from a distant area of the Garden State; their agent from the adjacent county. The Mrs. was at work but I met the delightful husband.  This gentleman explained he'd been using Google to learn more about life in Sussex County in general and Vernon in particular - before making an offer on my listing.

He kept finding my posts on Sussex County NJ real estate and lifestyle!

What a wonderful compliment! Before ever meeting him, I was enticing him and his wife to choose one of the homes for sale in Sussex County. And, even better, my post on 12 High Crest Drive in Scenic Lakes prompted him to tell his agent that he needed to see this listing.  Lovely feedback on how a blog post impacts a first-time home buyer!

While my seller was pleased, this dynamic gal in her 80s was already aware of my online marketing of her home for sale. At the recent wedding of one of her granddaughter, she made all her family members watch the video.

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.

Update Sept. 19 - This Sussex County NJ foreclosed home for sale attracted a huge amount of interest and multiple offers. Freddie Mac/HomeSteps has accepted one and kept another as a backup. Alas, there isn't an equivalent home for sale in Highland Lakes right now - or I'd have a deal on it too right now!

At long last, this fabulous three-bedroom ranch home for sale in Highland Lakes NJ awaits you! An attractively priced foreclosure in Sussex County NJ, this Vernon home has the most spectacular lake views. Whether you seek a vacation property or a permanent residence, this ranch in Highland Lakes might just be the deal for which you've been waiting!

Offered at just $167000 - in time to benefit from the $8000 first-time home buyer tax credit!

Since early July, I've been VERY excited about listing 29 Lakeside Drive - Highland Lakes (Vernon NJ) for sale because it is in such good condition compared to typical REOs for sale - Highland Lakes and elsewhere. Freddie Mac/HomeSteps has been most generous in funding "make ready" work. The neglected yard got a long overdue haircut (as a neighbor stood and cheered!). The Vernon NJ home for sale has been emptied and cleaned - see the terrible "before" photo. Some steps are still in the works: electric repairs and removal of the living room carpet/reseal the underlying hardwood floors. This Highland Lakes foreclosure home for sale will also have the plumbing checked once we can operate the well pump. (It had been winterized.)

I'm delighted to report that it no longers looks like that photo. This Vernon NJ home for sale is now ready for buyers to come take a peek! With the lake right across the street, I anticipate a great deal of interest from:

• first-time home buyers wanting to purchase in time for the $8000 tax credit ;
• those downsizing and wanting a smaller home - particularly a ranch;
• folks seeking a vacation or getaway property in a lovely Sussex County NJ lake community;
• all house hunters seeking a fabulous deal!

The following link to one of my posts may be useful if you're considering a foreclosure in Highland Lakes - Vernon - Sussex County NJ or anywhere in the U.S. You'll also find links to some of my other posts on distressed properties - REOs, foreclosures, pre-forclosures, short sales, etc.

Want to Steal a Foreclosure? Get the REO facts from a Sussex County NJ real estate agent

Copyright © 2009, Irene Kennedy, all rights reserved. This blog post from RealtorIrene 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 directly via the data to the right or HomesIrene.

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.