Cathy Lawton

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.

Lincoln Park Real Estate - Tax Revaluation

I recently received a notice from the Borough of Lincoln Park, indicating that Lincoln Park is going to have a tax revaluation. As a real estate agent for Century 21 Crest Real Estate, and as a specialist in Lincoln Park real estate, this did not come as a surprise...I know that several of the area towns have undergone tax revaluations over the past couple of years, it was only a matter of time before Lincoln Park had its turn. It has been over ten years since the last one.

The purpose of a tax revaluation is to bring the property assessments closer to the current market values of our homes. The town has hired Certified Valuations, Inc. of Randolph, NJ., to perform the inspections. Lincoln Park is having a public meeting on March 19^th at 7:30 at the PAL Community Center to address the tax revaluation.

I plan to attend the meeting on Wednesday, and will post more information afterwards. I urge others who are concerned about the revaluation to attend this meeting as well. Hope to see you there!

As a real estate agent for Century 21 Crest Real Estate, I often have buyers who want to become more familiar with a town before making a decision on purchasing a home there. I think that one of the best ways for a client to get the feel of a town is to attend a special event, such as a picnic, street fair, or a sporting event. Now that the weather is changing to Spring here in Morris County, it is the perfect time for potential buyers to visit.

Lincoln Park has a couple of sporting events coming up to celebrate the Spring season. The 2nd annual "Spring Fever Fastpitch Softball Tournament" will be held on April 11th and 12th. And then on April 19th, Lincoln Park is having the 2nd annual Opening Day/Field Day for PAL Baseball and Softball. There will be speed pitch, a dunk booth, timed running events, and more. They both seem like a lot of fun!

While I am on the subject, I have posted below the current Schedule of Events for Lincoln Park, NJ. (Some of these are for residents only.) Hope it is helpful to residents and soon-to-be residents alike!

3/13/2008 Child Health Clinic 9am - 12pm Appointment Needed

3/15/2008 Breakfast with the Easter Bunny 10am Easter Egg hunt and Easter Bonnet or Baseball Cap Contest, and more.

3/17/2008 Blood Pressure Screening 10am - 12pm Health Department

4/11 & 4/12/2008 "Spring Fever Fastpitch Softball Tournament."

4/19/2008 Opening Day/Field Day for PAL Baseball and Softball. (Speed pitch, dunk booth, timed running events, and more)

4/23/2008 Recreation Dept. trip to see "Legally Blonde" in NYC. 2 p.m.

4/25/2008 Lincoln Park EMS Tricky Tray 6:30 pm at St. Joe's Church Tickets are $10.00.

For more information on the events, please visit Lincoln Park's website.

Update on Lincoln Park Real Estate. These are the single family homes that have closed in Lincoln Park since January 1, 2008. As you can see, not many homes have closed in the town so far this year. However, there are 20 homes (including condos/townhomes) currently "under contract" in Lincoln Park, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this list will be quite a bit longer in the near future.

For additional information about Lincoln Park real estate, please don't hesitate to contact me.

Sold Single Family Homes in Lincoln Park, NJ 07035 from 1/1/08 to 3/7/08*

*Info obtained from Garden State Multiple Listing Service