GLORIA LAUGHTON ALLSTON, GREEN, SRES

The communities of Somerset and Middlesex counties will get a taste of Caribbean culture on June 27 when New Jersey Caribbean Festival 2009 will offer the spice-infused cuisine, diverse music rhythms and vibrant art of the islands, commonly called the West Indies.

Organized by the Jamaica Organization of New Jersey, the Somerset County Cultural Diversity Coalition and the Hamilton Street Business and Community Corporation, the street festival will be held from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 720 Hamilton St., in the business district section of Franklin Township in Somerset County, N.J.

The Caribbean festival will be rich with familiar cultural expressions, such as foods embellished with curry and jerk seasonings, steel bands, cultural dances and performances by Caribbean artists. The event will also include vendors of all cultures, illustrating the multicultural tapestry of the United States, organizers said.

The U.S. Constitution requires a national census once every ten years. It covers all 50 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa. This Census data will not only shape the future of our communities and define our voice in Congress but will address some real estate trends as well. What and who will be the next housing trend? Will Boomers head West or South or stay put? Is the day of the McMansion over? Will gentrification of the cities take off again as young families flee the suburbs? All questions that may be answered once the census results are tallied.

Are you sitting down?

Yesterday our mortgage folks said the Feds have pulled the letter allowing the First Time Home Buyers to use the $8,000 tax credit towards downpayment on a purchase or towards closing costs. Today we were informed that the Feds are saying that they have not pulled the provision but have merely put it on hold while they re-review it.

I am going to take the advice some of you offered who responded to my earlier blog and that is that I will believe it when I see it and until then I am not going to talk about it.

There seems to be a growth in the House Sitter profession in light of the length of time it takes to sell property these days. The media is circulating stories about squatters and/or homeless people setting up residence in vacant houses as well as vacant Staged homes being burglarized.

House sitting is an interesting and troublesome concept from the Real Estate Agent's perspective because (1) at what point should an Agent bring up the subject of using a House Sitter; (2) how should an Agent or homeowner go about finding a reputable House Sitter; (3) what will the Agent's liability be in participating in the selection of a House Sitter; and (4) who should prepare the House Sitting agreement?

GLORIA LAUGHTON ALLSTON, REALTOR, GREEN, SRES

Well I have completed the 3 days of training and passage of the 2 exams required to have the National Association of Realtors (NAR) give me the "green light" to call myself a "GREEN" Realtor. Now I am anxiously awaiting the NAR Green Designation Member Kit which should arrive in 3-4 weeks. The Green REsource Council of NAR provides oversight re this designation as well as provides the tools to help the "GREEN" team become suitable ambassadors of the movement toward sustainable homes and communities. Next steps - contribute to a better quality of life for future generations.