Cathy Lawton

Over the past few months, several homes have sold at Woodland Hills in Lincoln Park, New Jersey. As a full-time professional real estate agent with Century 21 Crest Real Estate in Pompton Plains, NJ, and as a resident of Woodland Hills, I am very interested in this real estate activity. The following is a list of condominiums that have closed at Woodland Hills from June 1, 2008 through September 30, 2008 as indicated by the Garden State Multiple Listing Service.

Woodland Hills, Lincoln Park, New Jersey Closed Sales from June 1, 2008 to September 30, 2008*

Address List Price Sold Price Days on Market Date Closed

211 ROBERTSON WAY $279,000 $275,000 106 8/24/2008

45 ROBERTSON WAY $289,000 $282,500 86 9/2/2008

178 ROBERTSON WAY* $299,900 $299,900 50 6/30/2008

144 Robertson Way $299,900 $285,000 38 9/11/2008

181 ROBERTSON WAY* $304,900 $305,000 47 9/19/2008

269 ROBERTSON WAY* $314,800 $295,000 108 9/2/2008

169 ROBERTSON WAY* $315,900 $305,000 16 7/31/2008

*Information obtained from the Garden State Multiple Listing Service

Fall is in the Air! Its time for Garage Sales, Ho Downs, and Festivals here in Morris County, New Jersey.

Lincoln Park, New Jersey is holding its first annual Lincoln Park Town-Wide Yard Sale on Saturday, September 20 from 9 am to 4 pm. Maps will be distributed at the PAL/Community Center between 8:30 am and 2 pm.

After shopping at the garage sales, while you are in the neighborhood drive to the next town over and check out Pequannock Township's popular Ho-Down between 1 and 9. Make a day of it!

As a full-time real estate agent at Century 21 Crest Real Estate, I urge anyone considering a move to either of these towns to stop-by these events! You'll be able to get a great feel for the town and the people. Come One Come All!

Lincoln Park , New Jersey Real Estate -

Lincoln Park Library Now Accepting Used Books

One of my favorite things to do is to read! Even with my busy schedule as aCentu real estate professional with Century 21 Crest Real Estate in Pompton Plains, I can easily read two books a week. Don't give me too much credit..most of my reading material consists of light suspense and romance, Because I go through so many books, and don't want to spend the $8 per paperback, I spend a lot of time at the Lincoln Park Library. I also, try to find used book stores in the area as well. My favorite used bookstore is down the Shore in Wildwood, New Jersey, Hooked on Books. I try to get there at least once or twice a year and pick up about 30 books a trip. Now, the problem...what do I do with those books after I read them?

There is now an answer! The Lincoln Park Library is currently accepting donations of books for the Montville Pet Parents, who will sell them to benefit the Montville Animal Shelter. The Montville Animal Shelter provides services to Lincoln Park, Montville, Mountain Lakes, Boonton, and Boonton Township. Books should be in good condition. Textbooks over 5 years old, and non-fiction books over 10 years old will not be accepted.

I stopped in the Lincoln Park Library today, and saw the collection bin. I really don't think it will hold all my books. But I plan to bring them in just a few at a time!

Lincoln Park, New Jersey Real Estate - Home Sales from March 1, 2008 and March 31, 2008*

Address Type BR Bath Garage List Price Sold Price

158 Gettysburg Way Townhouse 1 1 0 $249,900 $236,000

470 Ryerson Rd Split Level 2 2 0 $279,900 $275,000

305 Gettysburg Way Townhouse 2 1.1 0 $289,900 $275,000

6 Robertson Way One Floor Unit 2 2 0 $319,900 $314,000

43 Windsor Dr Townhouse 3 2.1 1 $413,800 $398,000

10 Allister Court Townhouse 3 2.1 1 $419,000 $402,000

45 Rosenbrook Dr Contemporary 3 2.1 2 $619,000 $625,000

Info Obtained from Garden State Multiple Listing Service, 3/31/2008

Lincoln Park, New Jersey Real Estate - Tax Revaluation

As a real estate agent serving Lincoln Park, New Jersey, as well a Lincoln Park resident, I felt it important to attend tonight's town meeting at the PAL building concerning the tax revaluation. I was surprised that only about 60 people were present at the meeting. It was very informative.

I am going to try to explain some of what was addressed at the meeting, but I would suggest that you contact the Borough of Lincoln Park for a more detailed explanation.

The meeting was led by a representative of Certified Valuation Inc., the company that has been hired by the Borough to perform the revaluation. The Director of the Division of Taxation of Morris County ordered the Lincoln Park revaluation. The average ratio of assessments to market value in Lincoln Park is 47%. The Director of the Division of Taxation usually orders a town-wide revaluation when this ratio is about 50%. Apparently, Lincoln Park was supposed to do the revaluation a couple of years ago, to take effect in 2007, but the process was delayed until the present time.

The representative was sure to stress that a tax revaluation does not mean that everyone's taxes will go up (more than they usually do, anyway.) The town determines the tax rate each year, and the rate is based on the current assessment. Once the town is revaluated, the tax rate will change based on the 100% assessment.

The revaluation process is going to begin in about 2 weeks. Inspectors will be sent to specific neighborhoods to appraise the homes. A letter will be sent to all homeowners about two weeks before the appraisers are scheduled to be in your neighborhood. When the inspectors arrive, they will first evaluate the outside of your house and the property. They will then try to come into your home. All inspectors will have a picture identification. If you are not home, they will leave a card at your door to reschedule. Certified Valuations, Inc. will not enter a home unless an adult 18 years of age or older is present.

According to the representative, it is important that you make every effort to allow the inspector into your home. If the inside of your house is not evaluated, it will be valued as if it is improved. For example, if you have a basement, it will be valued as if the basement is finished, since the inspector was not able to see it.

Once the inspections are complete, all the information will be analyzed, including the home sales in the neighborhood, to determine a new value. This process will continue until 10/1/2008. Then, on 11/1/08, letters indicating the new assessment will be sent to all homeowners in Lincoln Park. The new assessments become official on 1/10/09, and will be reflected on your tax bill on 8/1/09.

If you do not agree with the assessment value, there is an appeal process, first with Certified Valuations, Inc., then with the Morris County Division of Taxation, then with the State.

Certified Valuations has been involved in many revaluations in the state, including the one in Lincoln Park over 10 years ago. Since I am certainly not an expert in tax revaluations, and am just trying to report what I heard tonight, I urge you to visit Certified Valuations, Inc.'s website, and the Borough of Lincoln Park for any additional information.