Manahawkin, NJ

Can I use the expanded and extended tax credit program to buy a home in New Jersey if I don’t have perfect credit?

You might have thought that you couldn’t meet the deadline to qualify for a tax credit on a home purchase because your credit score is less than perfect. But the expanded and extended tax credit program to buy a home in New Jersey is now law, and you have six more months! That will give you some room to work on your credit score.

The extended tax credit program offers first time home buyers six more months to get a home under contract to qualify for the $8,000. The expanded tax credit program allows homeowners, who’ve lived in their homes for five of the last eight years, to qualify for a $6,500 credit.

The first step to see if you can take advantage of the expanded and extended tax credit program to buy a home in New Jersey is to check your credit score, and work on improvements.

The best place to learn about your options to check your credit and increase your credit score is to speak with a mortgage professional. You can click here for a list of active mortgage professionals in New Jersey…they’re part of the ActiveRain professional real estate community.

The higher your credit score, the easier the mortgage approval process. Your credit score is made up of your payment history, the amount you owe, the length of your credit history and the types of credit you have.

Very simply, your credit score improves by paying bills on time, paying down credit card debt and having lines of credit.

But a mortgage professional after reviewing your credit report can offer suggestions to tweak your score. It’s important to speak with some one experienced in the world of home finance because, while not mysterious, credit scores are quirky.

This simple step will get you on your way to taking advantage of the expanded and extended tax credit program to buy a home in New Jersey if you don’t have perfect credit.

If you’d like some suggestions on mortgage professionals I’ve worked with feel free to contact me. And when you're ready to buy, give me a call!

Homes for sale in Manahawkin - October, 2009 Housing Market Report

The number of homes for sale in Manahawkin (inventory) was down in October, 2009 over 2008 by more than 100 units.

As you can see, prices are also down. With enactment and expansion of the homebuyers tax credit, I expect the prices of homes for sale in Manahawkin to continue to inch up. The median sold price of homes in Manahawkin increased in October, 2009 more than $10,000 over September, 2009.

If you'd like neighborhood specific information on homes for sale in Manahawkin (Stafford Township, NJ), or are interested in pricing your home to sell, contact me via email or phone.

Keller Williams Realty - Atlantic Shore
Laura Giannotta
609-384-6121
Laura@JerseyShoreViews.com

Home lookings and home buying dreamers.  You only have 65 days left to take advantage of the $8,000 first time home buyer tax credit in which you can deduct from your 2009 income taxes.   Also, have you owned a home in the past and sold it and rented for the past 3 years?  Guess what, you qualify as a first time home buyer again. 

There are many mortgage programs available for you with FHA 3.5% down and USDA 100% financing.  In todays market you can also negotiate the sellers to pay your closing costs.

Home prices are dropping and now is the time to make an offer.  Call me for a home buying consultation and let me assist you in the emotional roller coster of the transaction of purchasing your first home in Manahawkin New Jersey at the Jersey Shore. 

As of today in Manahwkin, NJ there are 50 properties in the price range of $100,000 to $250,000.  Email me today for a list of those homes.

Charlene Grant, Realtor Associate

Century 21 Pacesetter Realty Inc.

325 E Route 72

Manahawkin, NJ  08050

Cell 609-312-6625

Buying a home at the Jersey Shore – What you need to know about homes and communities.

New Jersey has a long coastline, and most waterfront communities in Monmouth County and south call themselves the Jersey Shore.

My Jersey Shore is southern Ocean County, from Waretown (Ocean Township) down to Little Egg Harbor. Each town, Waretown, Barnegat, Manahawkin, Tuckerton and Little Egg Harbor have waterfront sections.

Homes in these communities vary, from old summer bungalows to new 3500 square foot mini mansions. While you’re deciding on the type of real estate agent and mortgage lender representation you want, you’ll probably be narrowing your internet search for a new home.

Here are some things to take into consideration in narrowing your search for the right home and community.

• What are the most important location issues for you? Is it proximity to work? Is it friendly neighbors? Is it the school system? While your agent can answer questions about neighborhoods, most of these questions are subjective.

Questions about schools and crime are particularly troublesome for REALTORS®. We cannot say a particular area is a ‘drug zone’ or an elementary school is substandard. Doing that could be considered ‘steering’ which is prohibited by law.

What we can do is provide local references (past clients) and websites for you to make the determination. I also suggest my clients visit the neighborhood at different times to get a better idea of what it would be like living there 24/7.

• How much room do you need? A small waterfront bungalow might not provide adequate square footage for a growing family. Are there pets to consider? This question is particularly important in condo and adult community purchases.

• Is it move-in ready? While there’s been much in the papers about great buys on short sale property (property being sold for less than is owed) and bank owned property (REO), there are some risks.

In most cases the sellers of these properties will not provide for repairs or a state mandated well test. Unless you’re handy, these properties could mean additional expenses that you might not be in a position to afford. Also, if you’re looking for that $8,000 first time homebuyer tax credit, a short sale or REO might not get to the closing table before the deadline.

• What is the best home for your living style? Do you prefer one level ranch style living, or is a colonial more to your liking. Do you want a basement? Do you need a garage?

Even if my home buyers have a preference for a home style, I will encourage them to look at homes that meet their needs and seem to be perfect in every other way. I’ve had clients that insist they wanted a ranch, but changed their minds when we looked at a well kept Cape Cod, on a quiet, street close to the elementary school, with all the interior amenities they wanted.

There are many other things to consider in selecting your home. It will be a great help to your REALTOR® and it will speed your search if you take time to consider location, size and style. But do you also have preferences about heat (electric, oil or gas), cooking (electric or gas), washer and dryer location, outdoor living space, a fenced yard and the list goes on. Give you perfect home some thought, write down everything.

When you sit down with your REALTOR®, be prepared to work on ‘Must Have’ and ‘Would Like to Have’ lists. Those lists will cover the items I’ve discussed, but should include many more, designed to find your perfect home and neighborhood.

This Homes and Communities report is the 3rd in a 6 part series for home buyers at the Jersey Shore.

1. New Jersey Real Estate Agency Relationships
2. Lenders and Loans
3. Homes and Communities
4. The Contract - Contractual Provisions
5. Offer and Acceptance - Attorney Review
6. Closing

Keller Williams Realty – Atlantic Shore
Laura Giannotta, ABR®
609-384-6121
Laura@JerseyShoreViews.com

GET YOUR OWN JERSEY SHORE VIEWS!
(Search homes for sale at the New Jersey Shore)

The 'Hawkin Deli in Manahawkin brings real NJ deli taste to the Jersey Shore!

While New Jersey might be informally known as the Diner State, we do love our delis. If you grew up in New Jersey, deli sandwiches are a way of life!

The 'Hawkin Deli is a relative newcomer to Manahawkin. But it brings great deli sandwiches to the Jersey Shore. Used to be the only deli available around here was from specialty shops (too expensive) or chain sandwich stores (too boring).

Located at 100 McKinley Avenue (the road running from Route 9, parallel to Route 72, behind ShopRite and Wal-Mart), the 'Hawkin Deli offers the usual hot and cold subs, plus specialty sandwiches, great for lunch or a fast dinner.

I’ll often stop for my mid morning breakfast sandwich, the New Jersey staple, Pork Roll, Egg and Cheese on a hard roll. But my favorite sandwich at the 'Hawkin Deli is called the Sloppy Zo.

Now a Sloppy Joe is a well known deli treat in New Jersey. If you’re thinking of the ground meat mess on a hamburger roll, you’re wrong. A deli Sloppy Joe is ham, turkey, Swiss, Cole slaw and Thousand Island dressing all piled high on fresh rye bread. Well, you can order that, but I recommend the Sloppy Zo.

The Sloppy Zo at the 'Hawkin Deli replaces the ham with thinly sliced roast beef, tops it with freshly sliced turkey, some Swiss cheese, Cole slaw and Thousand Island dressing sandwiched between two slices for fresh rye. Mmm!

As if that wasn’t enough, this and all specialty sandwiches come with fries, or my favorite Tater Tots! If you’re watching your figure, make any one of the great sandwiches a Wrap. Or you can try one of the 'Hawkin Deli’s build your own salad.

Choose romaine, iceberg or Spring Mix with dressing and it’ll be $4. You can add 3 toppings for $1.50 or 7 for $3.00. Toppings include everything from walnuts to cauliflower.

The 'Hawkin Deli is also very community conscious. When the Friends of the Barnegat Library (FOL), asked for help in providing our annual lunch for all Barnegat Library employees, they stepped up to the plate (bad pun) and worked with us on pricing and special orders!

The Barnegat Library employees are still raving about that lunch 4 months later, and are hoping the next lunch the Friends of the Library provides during National Library Week comes from the 'Hawkin Deli.

The 'Hawkin Deli
100 McKinley Avenue
McKinley Plaza
Manahawkin, NJ 08050
609-597-6082

HOURS:
M – F 10am til 8pm
Saturday 8:30am til 4pm
Sunday 8:30am til 3pm