RealtorIrene Blogs about Sussex County NJ Real Estate

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.

Many of you potential first-time homeowners racing to buy homes for sale in Sussex County NJ may need some better glasses.

Yes, the $8000 tax credit might be an important factor. Please don't overlook, however, that value does not just equal the lowest list price. Particularly with homes for sale Sussex County NJ, you'll be wise to look carefully at the age of a roof, septic system, furnace, etc. If you only see the list price, your great deal might not be such a bargain when you add in expensive work in the not-too-distant future.

I have two Sussex County homes for sale listed where major systems have been recently overhauled. This should offer peace of mind that you won't been spending a small fortune in the near future on, say, a septic system.

Are the list prices higher than that foreclosure you are considering? Absolutely. Speaking frankly, you may be very shortsighted if you buy a bargain today without factoring the major expenses you will be facing in the next few years. A roof ain't cheap! Septic work carries sticker shock!

  Here is a gem of a ranch home for sale in Wantage Township NJ; it has a Branchville NJ mailing address. A meticulously maintained two-bedroom home, the owners have already made huge investments in a roof, front and back decks, flooring, etc. The septic is only 10 years old. Entirely move-in ready.

Sure, 41 Beemer Church Road has a somewhat higher list price than some of the Sussex County fixer-uppers you're considering buying. But when that bargain home for sale needs a new roof in 2 years, will you be prepared to pay the cost?  Don't count on increasing home values resulting in your ability to get a home-equity loan to pay for the roof.

Update September 7, 2009 - The price on the following ranch home for sale in Scenic Lakes - Vernon - Sussex County NJ is being drastically reduced by $30000. The new price is just $185000!

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This three bedroom ranch home for sale in Scenic Lakes - Vernon NJ - is another great value! Newer furnace, septic and some appliances. Yes, you'll want to do some painting and perhaps refinish the hardwood floors under the living room carpet. As your fortunes increase, you have the OPTION of updating a bathroom. (Replacing a septic is NEVER an option, trust me!) Buying 12 High Crest Drive in Scenic Lakes might just be a better value than a bank-owned foreclosure on which you'll have some capital expenses in the next couple years! 

 So, if you're looking to buy a home for sale in Sussex County NJ - or elsewhere - clean your glasses! Stop and consider the longer-term costs of that underpriced foreclosure.

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 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.

Another update - September 19. For my seller's sake, I'm happy to report that an offer has been accepted on this Scenic Lakes - Vernon NJ home for sale! The modestly priced (well-priced!) homes for sale in Sussex County NJ that I have listed are now going quickly.

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Update September 7 - Tomorrow the price on this 3 bedroom Sussex County lake home for sale is dropping to just:

$185000 - In the nick of time for the $8000 first-time tax credit!

With this dramatic price reduction of $30000, I expect this Scenic Lakes NJ home for sale to fly off the market.  End update

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Value priced home for sale in Scenic Lakes - Vernon NJ section in Sussex County

12 High Crest Drive is listed for just $215000! Original owner of this 3-bedroom ranch in Scenic Lakes is reluctantly leaving Sussex County NJ. Cosmetic updates would be great but you can have confidence with newer systems: 2008 - septic replaced, new furnace, radon remediation. Stove & fridge - 2007.

This Sussex County NJ lake community Scenic Lakes has homes both in Vernon and Hardyston. The zip code for all of Scenic Lakes is 07419 - which the post office classifies as Hamburg. Just part of the charm of rural life...

• Very secluded property on quiet street with lots of trees and well-developed landscaping.
• Walk to lake via short cut!
• Hardwood floors in all bedrooms; owner says wood under living & hall carpet.
• Finished, WALKOUT basement.
• Oil tank in basement; owner states none was ever in-ground.
• Schools - Grades K-1 to Walnut Ridge, 2-4 to Cedar Mountain, 5-6 to Lounsberry Hollow, 7-8 to Glen Meadow, 9-12 to Vernon HS.

VERNON NJ Homes for Sale

Copyright © 2009, Irene Kennedy, all rights reserved. Irene Kennedy, who is a NJ real estate agent with Weichert, Realtors, lives in Sussex County & works from the Hamburg office.