Sayreville & Piscataway NJ Real Estate Blog

Green Building Still Running High for New Jersey Homes

Freddie — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 18:37:26 +0000

At the beginning of 2008, it was predicted that green national and New Jersey homes would not only become a steady trend, but would also become the nationwide norm. As the home building industry struggled with economic upheaval, the building of green homes was one sector that kept growing.

Energy Star Designations

As of December, 2009, over 1 million homes have received the Energy Star designation since the program’s inception in 1995. Despite the many foreclosures, the glutted housing market and drowning homeowners, 75,000 more homes gained the Energy Star designation in 2009, raising the numbers to 1,024,200.

In 2007, 12% of single-family homes in the

U.S. were Energy Star homes. In 2008, the numbers had reached 17%. Although the reports have yet to come in for 2009, there’s no doubt the numbers are increasing.

Two Other Green Home Certifications

Energy Star isn’t the only one with a green program; the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) also has a green home certification program. The number of participating homes is small (3,050 by the end of ’09), but noteworthy.

The National Association of Home Builders Research Center (NAHB) provides the National Green Building Certification, with over 500 participants.

The need for green national and New Jersey homes is, admittedly, consumer driven. Homebuyers want energy efficient homes - whether those homes are newly constructed or remodeled – and are willing to pay for them. Yes, the cost is higher, but most expect to make back the money spent on the house through future energy savings.

As we move forward in 2010, keep green in mind because energy efficient New Jersey homes are in high demand. If you’re trying to sell your home and can’t get it off the market, consider renovation towards a greener world.

If you’re trying to sell your home or find a green home to buy, I can help. Call me today at 732-247-7800 ext 182 or email me at freddie@freddiemoorer.com for more information.

Links:

Energy Star designation

http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=home_improvement.hm_improvement_hpwes

Green home certification program

http://www.usgbc.org/DisplayPage.aspx?CMSPageID=147

Energy efficient homes

http://www.green-energy-efficient-homes.com/

Costs for Newly Constructed Homes for Sale in New Jersey May Rise

Freddie — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 15:59:54 +0000

Not too long ago the “Greening of America” was just an idea. Now, it’s a government mandate. The latest requirements for new construction may just cause the cost of new homes for sale in New Jersey and around the nation to rise.

In December, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced new stormwater management requirements for new construction. These new requirements have the National Home Builder’s Association (NAHB) up in arms. In a news release posted on the NAHB website, the Chairman said the new housing regulations are unrealistic.

It all comes down to stormwater. When it rains, water hits the ground and seeps into it. In most cases, that water is absorbed and filtered by the ground, and then replenishes the world’s water supply. Not so in developed areas, where pavement and roofing, among other man-made surfaces, prevent the water from being absorbed.

The remaining water becomes runoff, which, according to the EPA, damages the infrastructure of surrounding development, causes downstream flooding and bank erosion. In addition, the water carries pollutants, which are carried into streams and water supplies. The new regulations have a strict limit on pollutants in stormwater, as well as requiring that the stormwater has little to no soil or sediment in it.

While less pollution is a fantastic idea, NAHB says something is missing – such as understanding soil differences. Certain types of soil absorb water better, reducing the amount of run off, while other types of soil produce a naturally high amount of sediment. The cost for homebuilders to meet these regulations can be expensive – an expense that will be passed on to those looking for newly built homes for sale in New Jersey.

The EPA has done some wonderful things for environmental protection, such as the Clean Air Act (CAA) and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), that already affect construction costs. However, for newly built homes for sale in New Jersey, this new stormwater requirement may end up not only being impossible to keep but impossible to pay for.

If you’re looking for new home construction that meets all necessary requirements, I can help. Call me today at 732-247-7800 ext 182 or email me at freddie@freddiemoorer.com for more information.

Links:

New storm water management requirements for new construction

http://www.epa.gov/oaintrnt/stormwater/index.htm

new housing regulations are unrealistic

http://www.nahb.org/news_details.aspx?sectionID=148&newsID=10074

Resource Conservation and Recovery Act

http://www.epa.gov/lawsregs/laws/rcra.html

Can Your Piscataway Home for Sale Beat the Rising Competition?

Freddie — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 20:00:15 +0000

Any time supply is bigger than demand, businesses start looking for a way to set themselves apart from the competition. If you have a Piscataway home for sale, you’re probably doing the same thing. What is the competition like, though? Are you looking for similar houses, similar neighborhoods – or is the competition nation wide? By paying attention to homes that are selling nationwide, you can find out a lot about what buyers want.

Once again, CNN Money published their “Top 100 Best Places to Live” for 2009. If your Piscataway home for sale is in a place similar to the Top 10, you just might have a much better chance at selling, especially if you market those positive attributes. Here are just a few of the things these places have in common:

Small towns: Whether a place is small or not is always relative. For instance, someone who lives in a town with less than 3,000 people would think Bryant, Arizona, with a population of almost 15,000 was a big place. However, the Top 100 list points the way; the population numbers range from 8,000 to 50,000. If your home is in a low population area, this could be a great selling point.

Robust, needed industries: High-tech industries, energy services and health care are just a few sectors that haven’t been hit as hard by the recession. These industries will be needed for years to come, and the demand for trained workers is higher in areas with these industrial sectors than in others. If your home is located in an area with lower than average unemployment, brag about it!

Low crime rates: For most, if not all of the top 100 places, crime is low, if not almost nonexistent. For instance, Papillion, New England has around 22,000 people. They also have less than one personal crime per 1,000 people. If you aren’t sure what the crime rate is around your home, check! Low crime rates are an excellent selling point; one that you could be missing out on.

Education: Education has always been important to most people – a fact that is clear with the Top 100 list. The list averages 20 universities or professional schools within 30 miles, and over 71% of the population per place has had some college. Do you have great universities? Do you live in a highly educated community? It may not seem like a big deal to you, but it will to the buyer.

From population demographics to the number of recreational activities available, everything goes into making your Piscataway home for sale attractive to buyers. Do the research and find out what makes your area special.

If you’re trying to find your home’s selling points, I can help. Call me at 732-247-7800 ext 182 or email me at freddie@freddiemoorer.com for more information.

Keyword/Tag: Piscataway home for sale

Links:

Top 100 Best Places to Live

http://money.cnn.com/magazines/moneymag/bplive/2009/top100/

your home is in a low population area

http://www.city-data.com/

crime rate is around your home

http://www.clrsearch.com/RSS/DidYouMeanSearch.jsp?type=community

Buy Your Valentine One of the Piscataway New Jersey Foreclosures

Freddie — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 15:17:26 +0000

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. Are you wondering what to get your loved one? Buying Piscataway New Jersey foreclosures may not be on the top of your list, but maybe it should be. Do you need some extra room? Is it time to spread out? Are you a repeat buyer?

You’ve probably heard the term “buyer’s market” more often than you care to, but if you want to expand your living quarters, you might want to pay attention.

What is a buyer’s market?

The typical reply might be something like, “A buyer’s market is where the supply is greater than the demand; the heavier the supply, the stronger the buyer’s market.” What you really need to know is that a buyer’s market is heavily tipped in your favor. Mortgage rates, housing supply and negotiations are all pointed towards helping you find – and buy - the home of your dreams.

What’s so great about buying Piscataway New Jersey foreclosures or other homes for sale now?

Whether you’re a first-time buyer or currently own a home and want to upgrade, there are plenty of reasons to get into the action now:

Home prices are lower than they’ve been in 12 years.
Foreclosures are going for rock-bottom prices as lenders try to make up their losses.
The number of programs to help buyers get into a new home is higher than it’s ever been.
Between government programs, lenders’ programs and private programs, the chances of getting into a home you can afford are high.
Many sellers are eager to find qualified buyers. If you’ve been pre-approved for a mortgage, you have a better stance in negotiations.
Mortgage rates are lower than they’ve been in a long time, but are slowly starting to rise again.

These are just a few of the reasons.

Why buy foreclosures?

Foreclosures are selling at much lower prices than other homes. In fact, many expect to save at least 30% when buying foreclosed property and that percentage isn’t unrealistic.

If you’ve been trying to figure out what to buy your Valentine, and you’ve been thinking about buying a home, look around at Piscataway New Jersey foreclosures. Not only can you find a fantastic deal, but you’ll also be able to celebrate Valentine’s Day in a new home!

Links:

programs to help buyers

http://www.hud.gov/buying/localbuying.cfm

Mortgage rates are lower

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704193004574588240879737018.html?mod=WSJ_hpp_sections_realestate

Buying foreclosed property

http://hubpages.com/hub/BuyingForeclosedProperty

Benefits of Exterior Lighting for Sayreville New Jersey Real Estate

Freddie — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 19:57:09 +0000

As many Sayreville New Jersey real estate agents will tell you, curb appeal shouldn’t end when the sun goes down. Exterior lighting can be both utilitarian and create a welcoming atmosphere even at night. The huge variety in lighting types will also lend uniqueness to your property and make it stand out to potential buyers.

Benefits of Popular Lighting Types

Reduces crime: Motion-activated flood lights on the front and back porch are essential in high-crime areas and always a good idea for any area. It’s been proven that criminals don’t like Sayreville New Jersey real estate with bright exterior lighting. The bright lights will draw attention to visitors before they’ve ever reached your door. Additionally, you should never discount the value of being able to see clearly when arriving home in the dark.

Decreases trip hazards: Solar lamps make beautiful walkway lighting. They’re generally not bright enough to be obtrusive or attract many nocturnal insects, but they will show the exact location of a walkway and reveal any trip hazards on the way. Solar lamps also provide an additional selling point on which Sayreville New Jersey real estate agents can capitalize.

Improves safety: Good garage lighting can help you find your way to and from your vehicle. More importantly, the garage is a potentially hazardous area. Good lighting ensures that anyone walking through or working in the area will have a clear view of their surroundings and the task they may be performing.

Relocates bugs: In rural areas, a high outside light (similar to a street light) not only lights large areas enough to recognize any hazards, they can also draw nocturnal insects away from lights emanating from the home. Moths and other insects often plague rural residents as they like to fly into houses from any open door or window.

Want me tips like this? Subscribe to this blog to receive free homeowner tips in your email inbox once or twice a week. Email me Freddie@freddiemoorer.com

Curb appeal:

http://www.hgtv.com/curb-appeal/show/index.html

Walkway lighting:

http://articles.directorym.com/Walkway_Lights-a968310.html

Nocturnal insects:

http://dev.pestworld.com/Press-Releases/A-CHILL-IS-IN-THE-AIR-ARE-PESTS-IN-YOUR-HOME

2010 Forecasts for National and Sayreville & Piscataway New Jersey Real Estate Are In!

Freddie — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 15:38:40 +0000

From national and Sayreville & Piscataway New Jersey real estate to the

U.S. economy, the predictions for 2010 are in. Like any predictions, they vary from somewhat bright and cheery to doom and gloom:

CNBC’s Realty Check predicts:

· the beginning of a housing market recovery mid-year

· higher foreclosure inventory

· rising mortgage rates, probably leveling off around six percent.

· suffering commercial real estate

The National Association of REALTORS®’ (NAR) chief economist is projecting:

· A sustainable recovery. The tax credit expansion will help to relieve extra housing supply through mid-2010.

· A rise in existing home sales. The NAR is expecting existing home sales to rise as high as 5.69 million, even with continuing unemployment issues. That’s a 13.6 percent increase.

In fact, the

U.S. forecasts for national and Sayreville & Piscataway New Jersey real estate are overall positive for 2010.

Housing Predictor, one of the first places to predict the wave of foreclosures, also forecasts positive numbers for 2010. They anticipate rising home sales, market improvement and even value appreciation for some places. Again, the magic period for the start of stabilization is the middle of the year.

Although no one knows for certain what will happen in the future - especially for such struggling sectors as national and Sayreville & Piscataway New Jersey real estate - we can all gain a little hope from the 2010 forecasts. There is one thing that is fairly well agreed upon according to these predictions: there will be a real estate recovery in 2010.

If you’re struggling to sell your home, I can help. Call me at 732-247-1935 ext 182 or email me at freddie@freddiemoorer.com for more information.

Links:

Realty Check

http://www.cnbc.com/id/34110130

Existing home sales

http://www.realtor.org/press_room/news_releases/2009/11/hopeful_leading

Housing Predictor

http://www.housingpredictor.com/better.html

Keep Your Piscataway & Sayreville New Jersey Home Clean the Green Way

Freddie — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 15:19:04 +0000

Lots of people think about ways to save the environment in a physical manner such as changing light bulbs from incandescent to florescent and recycling, but many drop the ball when it comes to cleaning their Piscataway & Sayreville New Jersey home. Keeping your home clean in a way that is healthy to you, your family, and the environment just takes a little extra thought and soon becomes second nature.Danger, DangerGet rid of any products under your sink, in your bathroom, or your cleaning closet that have danger cautions. If they are bad for you, they are probably bad for the environment too, and why have such hazardous materials in your Piscataway & Sayreville New Jersey home? Labels that have cautions such as poison, hazard, and danger on them are not only bad to have around small children, the toxins leak into the air when you use them causing health problems for your family. They also leech into the environment when you use them and are hazardous for the environment.Re-usable and NaturalBuy mop heads and sponges made from natural materials that are bio-degradable and replenishable. Check for recycled materials labels on paper towels, toilet paper, and other disposable objects so that you know those products are making the best use of production materials.ConserveUse as little water as possible when doing dishes by turning off the faucet while you are washing and only using running water when you are ready to rinse. Don’t just think about conservation when cleaning your home. Turn off the faucet while you are brushing your teeth as well for extra savings. Remove your shoes or put a rug by the entry doors of your home to help cut down the need to wash floors.Bring in the GreenBring nature into your Piscataway & Sayreville New Jersey home in the form of hanging and potted plants. Plants clean the air around you and take in harmful carbon dioxide in the air.Want top buy a clean, green home? Let me help. Contact me today at 732-247-1935 ext 182 or email me at freddie@freddiemoorer.com. LINKS:Keeping your home clean: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/278826/how_to_keep_your_house_clean_in_20.html?cat=7 Cleaning your home: http://www.cnn.com/2007/LIVING/homestyle/07/27/wlb.rs.clean.plan/index.htmlHanging and potted plants: http://www.ehow.com/how_16881_grow-hanging-plants.html

Your Sayreville & Piscataway New Jersey Home: Have an Eco-Friendly Holiday!

Freddie — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 18:51:36 +0000

Yes, it’s time for the Holidays again, which means it’s time to decorate your Sayreville & Piscataway New Jersey home. If you’re big on recycling, use eco-friendly products and try to keep your carbon footprint on a low scale, you may be trying to figure out how you can make your Holidays a blast without stepping away from your ideals.

Here are a few tips to help you get your Sayreville & Piscataway New Jersey home decorated in eco-friendly style!

Tips for an Eco-Friendly

Holiday:

Instead of buying wrapping paper, buy decorative wooden boxes, tin boxes, cloth bags or other eco-friendly packaging to hold your presents. You can get any of these with Holiday themes, most won’t get thrown away for years and, when they finally do fall apart, they’re biodegradable.

If you do use wrapping paper, save the paper and reuse it next year: recycling at its best!

Buy a real tree instead of a fake one and find an organization to plant one in its place. Once Christmas is over, you can have the Christmas tree recycled into wood chips, mulch and other wood products.

Try buying your gifts from an eco-friendly store. Online or offline, these businesses offer gifts made from recycled, reused or all natural materials.

Create fantastic holiday decorations with reusable materials from around the house. There are tons of decoration ideas around the Net, so you’ll be able to find some ideas that use things you already have lying around.

Send an e-card instead of a regular Holiday card, or buy
Holiday cards made from recycled materials.

If you want lights, use LEDs (low-energy lights). Not only do they use less power, but also if one light goes out, the rest stay lit.

With a little bit of thought and ingenuity, your Sayreville & Piscataway New Jersey home can be as bright and cheerful as you’ve always wanted without worrying about the impact on the environment. Have a Happy (and eco-friendly)

Holiday!

If you’re looking for a green home to hang your eco-friendly wreaths in, I can help. Call me at 732-247-1935 ext 182 or email me at freddie@freddiemoorer.com for more information.

Links:

Eco-friendly packaging

http://www.nashvillewraps.com/eco-friendly-packaging/mc-051.html

Christmas tree Recycled

http://www.christmastree.org/recycle.cfm

Holiday decorations

http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/holiday-ideas/christmas-wreath-projects

Should You Buy A Real Christmas Tree For Your Sayreville & Piscataway New Jersey Home?

Freddie — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 14:40:41 +0000

Few questions are more important this time of year than which Christmas tree you should buy for your Sayreville & Piscataway New Jersey home. There are some things to keep in mind when looking for the perfect Christmas tree, here are just a few:

Real Or Artificial Tree?Real Christmas trees require some care; if you’re planning to travel this holiday season, you may not want a live tree. You must water the tree to make sure that it doesn’t lose its needles before Christmas day. The live trees are not fire resistant, the dried out pine needles can get too hot from the lights and may burst into flame.

On the other hand, there isn’t any up-keep with an artificial Christmas tree, and many look quite realistic. The plastic Christmas trees have an added bonus of being flame retardant. Then, there’s the convenience of not having to go out in the cold weather to pick the tree out.

For those of you who can’t imagine Christmas without the pine needle smell, you can buy air fresheners that mimic the smell of fresh cut pine. For some, an artificial tree is the best of both worlds.

How Big Is Too Much Tree?Now that you’ve decided what kind of Christmas tree to buy, you have to find out how big a tree you can fit in your Sayreville & Piscataway New Jersey home. It could be that the only thing limiting the size of your Christmas tree is your budget; in that case, your decision is easy.

However, if you’re limited on space, you’ll need to decide the best place to put your tree first.Try to think of how the area will “frame” your Christmas tree. Consider how much traffic goes by the area and whether there will be enough room for the presents to stay safe.

Break out the measuring tape so you don’t have to guess when you’re on the Christmas tree lot; trees look deceptively small on the lot. Or, if you opted for the fake Christmas tree, you’ll know exactly which box to pick out; just look for the right size.

Want to buy a Sayreville & Piscataway New Jersey home that has space for a bigger tree? I can help. Give me a call today at 732-247-1935 ext 182 or email me at freddie@freddiemoorer.com.

LINKS:Christmas treehttp://www.learn2grow.com/gardeningguides/trees/featuredplants/ChristmasTreeOptions.aspx

Water the treehttp://www.ehow.com/how_2343113_care-christmas-tree.html

Artificial Christmas treehttp://pre-litartificialchristmastree.info/

FHA On Solid Ground: Hope for Sayreville New Jersey Real Estate Owners

Freddie — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 13:49:14 +0000

A recent interview with FHA commissioner David Stevens on CNBC gives hope to Sayreville New Jersey real estate owners with FHA loans. The Federal Housing Administration now covers at least 30% of new home loans, so when Stevens announced that it might not make its 2% capital reserve, people were understandably nervous. For no reason, Stevens says in the CNBC interview.

Instead of immediate risk management in the form of strict guidelines that might make it harder on potential Sayreville New Jersey real estate owners, such as those Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have put on condo mortgages, the FHA is going for some changes. The changes include hiring a chief risk officer and requiring higher capital standards for loan originators.

Once it was out that the FHA wouldn’t meet its 2% (please note that the FHA itself is the one who broke the news), news portals, blogs and other websites spread the news that the FHA was a train wreck. However, the CNBC interview with Stevens cleared the air a bit.

It appears that the FHA, put in place for instances like this when people can’t afford other loans, actually has two capital accounts. According to Stevens, the FHA has “lots of capital in primary reserve to cover expected defaults.” Combined, FHA capital is over $30 billion dollars.

At the present, says Stevens, the FHA isn’t considering a minimum credit score, and they may not have to. Looking at their portfolio, the average credit score has gone up 60 points, from 630 to 690, pointing to a higher quality of borrowers.

So, when thinking about buying Sayreville New Jersey real estate and looking at mortgage companies, don’t forget to look at the FHA. If Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are lending, the FHA is – and it’s going strong!

You can watch the CNBC video for the full interview.

If you’re looking for a beautiful home, I can help. Call me now at 732-247-1935 ext 182 or email me at freddie@freddiemoorer.com for more information.

Links:

Might not make its 2% capital reserve

http://portal.hud.gov/portal/page/portal/HUD/federal_housing_administration/docs/FHA%20Actuarial%20Review%20Briefing.pdf

FHA

http://www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/fhahistory.cfm

CNBC interview

http://www.cnbc.com/id/15840232?video=1274114504&play=1