GLORIA LAUGHTON ALLSTON, GREEN, SRES, SFR

I try not to get caught in this trap but too many times lately I have gone against my better judgment and spent so much time and energy trying to make deals work that were loaded with red flags and flashing yellow signs when I first took them.

My latest attempt was accepting a listing on a beautiful 5 bedroom/4 bath colonial sited on 3 acres surrounded by wooded preserve land. The owners had expanded the house to include a glass-walled In-Law Suite (complete with its own full kitchen) on the lower level. ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS!!

So what's the problem you ask - if you were to pick that house up and move it half mile down the road it would double in value. But the house had been over improved for its location and, to complicate matters, the owners refused to accept that fact. So OK I take the listing thinking that it is such a beautiful home that I might be able to find a buyer who falls in love with it and, by some miracle, find an appraiser that will put on heavily tinted rose colored glasses and appraise it close enough to the selling price so I can make the deal.

So here I am 5 weeks later with no offers and the showings have slowed to a trickle. I know what the problem is - the home is overpriced - and I am kicking myself for not listening to that inner voice that we all have, but too often ignore, that said "DON'T TAKE THIS LISTING".

New two and three bedroom single family homes are now available in Franklin Township, New Jersey. This is part of a redevelopment plan approved by the Township Council and the Township's Redevelopment Agency. Leewood Renaissance developers purchased the property in order to build affordable housing in the area.

Home start at $99,990 and flexible mortgage arrangements are available for qualified buyers.

All of the homes are Energy Star certified.

If a homeowner really wants to sell his/her home there are some basic features that must be addressed and here is the second on the list:

#2 APPEAL TO THE SENSES

• Homes that promote lots of natural light are more appealing - keep windows clean, consider replacing harsh fluorescent fixtures, use well placed mirrors to intensify light in a room, light paint colors should be used on walls, and open drapes and blinds and turn lights on prior to showings.
• Neutral colors are best used both outside and inside - white, beige and gray are popular exterior colors, while white, off-white and pastels are best used on the interior; if using wallpaper avoid bold and bright patterns, bright colors can be used as accents and introduced into a room with area rugs, pillows, towels, flowers, etc.
• A quiet and peaceful feel is usually part of the appeal of a home so take into account the sounds of a home - try to avoid sounds like barking dogs, vacuum cleaners, diswashers, lawn mowers, mechanical problems and banging pipes. Soft music is always a help in creating a pleasing atmosphere.
• Smells in a home can work for or against you - those smells that can work for you are newly painted walls, treated wood floors and furniture, cleanliness, fresh flowers, and fresh baked cookies. Those that can work against you are pet odors, gas or oil smells, and strong tobacco odors to name a few.

Remember the objective is to present the home as one that has been lovingly maintained.

If a homeowner really wants to sell his/her home there are some basic first impression points that should be addressed and here is the first in the series:

#1 CURB APPEAL - Did you know that within the first 15 seconds a buyer has developed an opinion about your property? Here are some fundamental elements to share with your sellers to help ensure that their home makes a good first impression:

• make sure the street in front of your house is free of litter, debris and anything else that might give the appearance of neglect (that includes weeds and snow);
• if your property has a fence then make sure it does not have any rust or peeling paint;
• paint or replace that old mailbox, it says the owner cares about detail;
• make sure all outdoor light fixtures are free of rust and look well maintained;
• of course take the time to trim the shrubs and cut the lawn (make sure the lawn looks healthy);
• if there is a walkway and/or a driveway leading to the house, then pay attention to condition of the surface and ask the seller to have the surface resealed if necessary;
• if the seller has to leave a car parked in the driveway then make sure it is clean and looks well maintained;
• a fresh coat of paint does wonders as an attraction so ask the seller to consider painting the front door and shutters to help spruce things up;
• windows should be sparkling clean and, of course, free of any cracked or broken glass or broken seals;
• a well-maintained roof will say a lot about the overall condition of the property so replace any broken or missing shingles or tiles, repair flashings where needed, but if the roof needs to be replaced then ask the seller to have the work done before placing the home on the market;
• neat and trim gutters and downspouts will help to keep the well-maintained image of the home intact;
• and finally, make sure that the rear of the house looks as good as the front.

For the 2nd time in 2 years MONEY MAGAZINE picks Franklin Township as one of the best places to live in the United States:

FRANKLIN NAMED ONE OF AMERICA'S BEST PLACES TO LIVE

FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP, New Jersey-July 13, 2010-Franklin Township officials were pleased to hear that the Township was named No. 34 in Money Magazine's 100 Best Places to Live 2010. Franklin held the top ranking of New Jersey towns that made the list.

The magazine wrote, "It isn't rare to come across a cow crossing in Franklin. Despite being just an hour away from New York City, this 46-sauare-mile township contains quite a bit of farmland. There are miles of walking trails overlooking green pastures. Recreation opportunities are varied, including cricket fields and skateboard ramps. The township's rich cultural diversity is reflected in its many restaurants."

http://www.mycentraljersey.com/article/20100712/NEWS/100712036/Franklin-Piscataway-rank-high-on-Money-magazine-s-Top-100-Best-Places-to-Live