From 1960 to 1975 New Jersey built its share of Bi-Levels. You can trace the design back to the 1950's but the 1960's accelerated the construction of your basic model.
The Bi-Level craze waned by the 1970's once architects chased the next, young thing -- the Center Hall Colonial. And the young thing continues to lure buyers. 
Still, the New Jersey Bi-Level hangs around -- still in its prime -- and entices the eccentric buyer. This Suburban House Cougar isn't shy to wear olive green, fashion wrought-iron for interior railings and draw ample light in from full "First Floor" windows.
The Bi-Level lacks a traditional basement, however.
It features a direct staircase down to the First Floor from the front door and one staircase directly up to the Second Floor. Most fourth bedrooms are found on the First (or ground) Floor along with a half bath (a full bath if the original owner sprang for the upgrade) and a walkout.
Since a Bi-Level is on a slab, it's imperative proper irrigation routes roof and surface water as far from the structure as possible.
(I've yet to see a perimeter drain in a Bi-Level.)
On the Second Floor you'll find the Kitchen, Bedrooms, Living Room and Full Baths.
Probably why this Cougar can't sway gravity.
Today's buyers want their eat-in Kitchens on a separate level than the Bedrooms and Baths.
Why buy a Colts Neck Bi-Level?
Opportunity.
(You'll actually find a handful of Bi-Levels for sale in the Clover Hill section of Colts Neck every spring.)
True, the design ranks towards the bottom on most buyers' lists. Unlike the versatile Ranch that allows an investor or buyer to renovate "up" and add a Second Floor, thereby transforming the pedestrian Rancher into a Center Hall Colonial, the Bi-Level's upper fate is sealed.
Savvy sellers recognize they need to flash a lot of cosmetic improvements and lower their expectations when filling their dance cards on Singles' Night. So the Lonely Hearts Buyer gets one slow spin around the negotiating table, whispering ...
"Discount."
Yup, nobody deserves to be alone in the housing market.
Seriously, the Bi-Level attracts folks like myself -- fifty year-olds -- who wax nostalgic when entering a Bi-Level since we grew up during the 60's and 70's. We remember the Brady Bunch (an architect who slept three kids to a room), disco and Nixon.
Not necessarily in that order.
Interested in Colts Neck houses for sale? Contact me. I am the Branch Vice President and Broker/Manager of the Coldwell Banker office in Middletown and a 17 year resident of Colts Neck Township.
Andrew J. Lenza, ABR GRI MBA
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage
Office Telephone (732) 671-1000
Click HERE for the CB-Middletown Office for our Agent Roster and Listing Inventory
Click HERE to send me an e-mail!
Today I present a guest blogger, my Coldwell Banker Middletown colleague Mary Rose Marrale.
I hope you enjoy Mary Rose's riff on Thanksgiving.
THE GAL THAT GOT AWAY
by Mary Rose Marrale
Meet Tomasina Turkey. I met "Tommy Girl" at the Veteran's Memorial Park in Hazlet, New Jersey when a traveling petting zoo rolled into town a few years ago. Over 46 million turkeys wind up on a Thanksgiving table every year. I thought the same fate awaited Tommy until I received this inspiring email yesterday.
* * *
Hey Mary Rose,
So I'm celebrating my fifth year of freedom. Jumped the zoo fence in 2005 and never looked back. Right now I'm sunning my feathers in a Key West gated community. Though one hundred degree humidity is wreaking havoc with my new henna. Great thing about Florida is the folks eat more fish. Gotta go. My Pilates group is off to the track to watch the dogs run. I know I can count on you to go vegetarian for the Holidays, kid.
Love, Tomasina the Turkey (Retired)
* * *
I didn't have the heart to write back to Tommy Girl with the news I just put my order in for a twenty five pound fresh bird.
When it comes to cooking and real estate, Mary Rose Marrale is all business. Buying or selling, she's your first and last "turkey" call for Hazlet homes for sale.
Mary Rose Marrale, Sales Associate Office (732) 671-1000 and Mobile (917) 626-7418
Coldwell Banker, 864 Highway 35 Middletown NJ 07748
E-mail: MRMarrale@yahoo.com
Yes, we do have a few cooperative (aka "co-op's") in Monmouth County, none more famous than Riverview Towers of Red Bank. 
Property ownership in New Jersey is typically fee simple, meaning purchasers "own" their dirt. Contrast to cooperative living in which buyers receive a proprietary lease and share ownership of the dwelling.
Folks interested in buying a Riverview Tower apartment require Board Approval and a credit check.
Erected in 1969, the Riverview Tower high-rise sits majestic on the edge of the Navesink River. Buyers can choose from one and two bedroom units.
There's a reason "value" comes before "view" in the dictionary.
Folks do fall for the picturesque and breathtaking view of the water and the higher one travels upward in this twelve story building, so too does the price.
Currently, buyers can choose from eleven of the co-op units for sale; from a one bedroom unit for $182,000 and a two bedroom unit for $675,000.
(Coldwell Banker, Middletown represents four of the units for sale.)
To continue reading my description of cooperative living in Riverview Towers, Red Bank kindly click here -->
Andrew J. Lenza, ABR GRI MBA
Office (732) 671-1000
Branch Vice President and Broker Sales Associate, Coldwell Banker Middletown Office
In a previous blog I highlighted the fourteen (14) sections of Middletown, New Jersey. Today's focus is on the real estate activity in the Navesink section of Middletown.
Navesink is a beautiful area, characterized by some of the greener meadows of the township.
Some homes afford splendid views of the river and the valley. By crossing over Route 35 and traveling east toward the Atlantic Ocean (you'll find River Plaza, Middletown to the west), the home buyer is treated to a panorama of different architecture and styles.
Click here to preview the Coldwell Banker Middletown office inventory of residential homes -->
Navesink offers public access to pristine acres, especially Hartshorne Woods County Park. Hartshorne Woods features a 17 mile trail across 787 bucolic, unspoiled acres. Campers can reserve cabins; skiers can enjoy cross-country. Enter the park off Navesink Avenue.
The Navesink Country Club grounds is breath-taking; alas, it is a private golf course.
Click here to preview the entire MLS Listing Inventory for Navesink homes for sale in Middletown -->
If you are interested in Navesink real estate of Middletown, New Jersey, kindly give me a call at our Coldwell Banker office at (732) 671-1000. Or e-mail me at Andrew.Lenza@CBmoves.com.
Bookmark my blog for upcoming real estate articles. Thank you for reading :-)
Andrew J. Lenza, ABR GRI MBA
Branch Vice President & Broker Associate
864 Highway 35, Middletown N.J. 07748
Welcome to the last quarter of real estate where the rubber burned off the rim in August and the road ended in an old lady's perrenial garden.
Yes, the "seasonal slowdown" yields to a greater concern of a seasonal stoppage. Fear not, oh you intrepid sellers! There are buyers out every day. One may even fall down your chimney Christmas morn.
At Coldwell Banker, Middletown New Jersey we continue to engage the populace with new listings, swanky advertising and office llama rides.
Okay, no llamas.
A talking monkey that juggles nitro.
Perhaps not.
Blindfolded seagulls shot out of a crossbow into a net 1,000 yards away while squawking "A Little To the Left" by Beyonce. Wide right.
No.
We do have an increase in value.
Twenty seven (27) Middletown, New Jersey single family homes sold in the month of October for an average price of $487,800 versus the firty three (53) that sold in September for $455,600.
>> search Middletown real estate for sale
One month does not make a recovery. Still, I'd always want to connect the positive lead to the red terminal versus the black, especially when igniting the Flaming Goat of Death.
Call me at (732) 671-1000 to engage the Number #1 real estate brokerage in Middletown, New Jersey. No animals were harmed in the posting of this blog.
Andrew J. Lenza, ABR GRI MBA
Branch Vice President & Broker Associate
864 Highway 35, Middletown New Jersey 07748
E-mail: Andrew.Lenza@CBmoves.com
Broker Sales Associate for Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, Holmdel New Jersey 07733
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