Happy Thanksgiving Ocean County, NJ!

We just wanted to extend our Thanksgiving to all of our friends, family and customers. Thank you!

Did YOU Know "They" Want to Take Your Mortgage Interest Tax Deduction Away?

As a Home-Owner, or Prospective Home-Owner, in Ocean County, NJ, did you know that the Obama Administration's National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform has proposed limiting the mortgage interest rate deduction on taxes?

According to a November report, as reported through HousingWire.com, one option excludes citizens from deducting interest payments on second residences, home equity loans or mortgages over $500,000.

Why this is a BAD idea!

Steve Harney and his Crew over at Keeping Current Matters summed it up best:

1. Homeownership is a Major Part of the ‘American Dream’

It has been proven that homeownership is critically important to American culture. A home is more than just a financial investment. It is a parents’ investment in their children. It is a family’s investment in their community. It is the people’s investment in America. With housing attempting to recover from its most trying time, it seems ludicrous to remove one of the most enticing reasons to own a home.

2. This Could Lead to another Wave of Foreclosures

Even if we just look at this from a purely financial perspective, it makes no sense. There are thousands of families struggling to pay their mortgage every month. Many of these homes are in a negative equity situation. Many in this situation have already decided to strategically ‘walk-away’ from their mortgage obligation. Others are sacrificing in different areas of their families’ lives in order to continue to pay their mortgage. Taking away the mortgage tax deduction could be the straw that either financially or emotionally breaks that camel’s back. How many new foreclosures will be created? How will that impact the values of neighboring properties? This makes no sense financially.

What can WE do as Home-Owners, Prospective Home-Owners and Real Estate Practitioners in Ocean County, NJ? WE CAN RAISE OUR VOICE AND JUST SAY "NO" TO THE "O"!

Myths: The Earth Is Flat and Newspapers Sell Houses

This post is just too good not to re-post. Thank you Steve Harney and Keeping Current Matters!

Myths: The Earth Is Flat and Newspapers Sell Houses

The Compelling Argument to List Your Home Today in Toms River, NJ

We have all heard of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) but never has it been more prevalent than in real estate. Just how does(SAD)relate to listing your home for sale in Toms River, NJ?

Typically, this time of year (Nov & Dec), we hear the following statement from prospective Home-Sellers; "I'm going to wait until after the Holidays to put my home on the market".

Just what does "waiting until after the Holidays" actually COST a potential Home-Seller in Toms River, NJ? The answer lies in the historical data:

--Nov & Dec 2006; Toms River had almost 10.8 months of inventory available*
--Jan & Feb 2007; Toms River had almost 12.6 months of inventory available

--Nov & Dec 2007; Toms River had almost 10.9 months of inventory available
--Jan & Feb 2008; Toms River had almost 15 months of inventory available

--Nov & Dec 2008; Toms River had almost 12.3 months of inventory available
--Jan & Feb 2009; Toms River had almost 18.6 months of inventory available

--Nov & Dec 2009; Toms River had almost 10.5 months of inventory available
--Jan & Feb 2010; Toms River had almost 17.6 months of inventory available

*Months of available inventory = How long it would take to sell off the existing supply of homes if NO other homes were to come on the market.



Long story short; "waiting until after the Holidays" will COST you between 2 and 7 months on the market and we all know "time is money". So, if you want more money for your home, it behooves you to list your home in Toms River, NJ, today!

Happy New Year Toms River, NJ!

Yes, we know it's November...but we like to believe November 1st is actually New Year's Day in the real estate industry. Why? Because when we start PLANNING for the coming year in November, we actually see results in January! So, what are YOUR PLANS if you want to buy, or need to sell, a home in Toms River, NJ, in 2011?

If you plan to BUY a home in 2011:

-When do you plan on moving?
-Where do you plan to start your search?
-When do you plan on getting pre-approved for a mortgage?
-When do you plan on working with a real estate professional?

If you plan on SELLING a home in 2011:

-When do you plan on moving?
-Where do you plan on going?
-How do you plan on getting there?
-When do you plan on meeting with a real estate professional?

These are just a sample of the some of the questions you may need to ask yourselves now, in November, if you PLAN on buying, or selling, a home in Toms River, NJ, in 2011.

Here's more to consider: